The Good Life and Death :: Funeral of Harold Loman :: Psalm 116:1-15

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2.

Dear Loynel, Jane, Kurt, Bret; dear brothers and sisters in Christ; dear family and friends of Harold Eugene Loman: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Sometimes the world around us will say about a man who died that He had a good life. It’s a good saying, with good meaning. But you should know the world doesn’t understand “the good life.” Most often the world says a man has lived a good life when he’s been blessed with nearly 64 years of marriage to a loving and caring spouse, like Loynel; three loving and respectful children, like Jane, Kurt, and Bret ... six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren ... 58 years on his farm ... and peaceful hobbies such as crappie fishing. By those definitions, I think that Harold had a good life. ... No, I take that back ... Harold had a great life. And he loved life and never complained. 

But from God’s perspective, there are even more important ingredients that make a life good and pleasing. “The” good life begins in the waters of baptism. The good life hears God’s word. The good life never hungers or thirsts. The good life lifts up the cup of salvation. The good life calls upon the name of the Lord. The good life consistently looks to the kindness and compassion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The good life joins the psalmist in our text, singing Gracious is the Lord and righteous; our God is merciful. ... [And] he saved me (vv 5–6).

By this definition, there is no doubt in my mind that Harold Loman lived the good life. He was saved in the waters of baptism on May 29, 1937 and he knew it. He lived it and proclaimed it all the days of his life. He confirmed his own God-given faith on July 23, 1950. He made sure Loynel knew how baptism saves too (1 Pt 3:21), writing her a four-page letter 64 years ago on the topic. He made sure his children knew it. Harold continually returned to the Lord’s means of grace. He called on the name of the Lord even into his last hours. 

Christians know that our true meaning and fulfillment in life is found not in money or the things that we accumulate, but rather in the love, kindness, and forgiveness of our Lord Jesus. Christians then share that good life with others. They know that the motivation for our life of love and service to others comes from the love of Christ living in us. As the Bible tells us, We love because [God] first loved us (1 Jn 4:19).

Christians know from our faith and life experience that when we are confronted with struggles, sickness, and sorrow ... which are an inevitable part of life in this world ... we have a sure source of comfort, strength, and hope in Jesus Christ, in his Word and sacraments ... not just baptism, but in absolution and the Lord’s Supper. When we live by this faith in our Good Shepherd and Savior, we know that he will guide us to his springs of living water that give us eternal life. Then we will finally grasp the full meaning of the words of our text, we too declare that Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints (v 15).

That is some of what constitutes a truly good life ... living with Christ and for Christ ... following Jesus wherever he leads, knowing that nothing in this life, not even death, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:39).

1.

There’s another phrase I’ve been hearing more and more in recent years, probably as a result of the hospice movement: He had a good death. The world might mean various things by that phrase, not all of which would be in conformity with God’s will and purposes. 

As Christians, though, we might mean that despite a long and difficult illness ... one that keeps you confined to your bed or Lazy-Boy for the better part of two years ... a person’s pain was largely under control. The person was able, during his final days, to be alert enough to communicate with his family or to know that his family was there with him. The person was able, if he wished, to die at home in familiar surroundings. The person had the opportunity to say goodbye to loved ones. The person was able to die peacefully, gradually slipping away from the struggles of this life to the glories of God’s eternal peace. I think that, by those definitions, Harold had a good death. He even kept his sense of humor until the end. 

But from God’s eternal perspective, there are even more important things that would make it a great death. As we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, either by ourselves or with a loved one, what counts is knowing, with great assurance, that our Good Shepherd is leading us every step of the way, that we will hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; that the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat. (Rv 7:16) ... that He is constantly calling to us ... that He is constantly nurturing us and caring for us. Harold knew that. 

He knew that we have a Savior, who, through his innocent suffering and death, paid the debt of our sin in full ... the sin of yesterday, the sin of today, the sin of tomorrow. Jesus redeemed us from our flaws, our faults, our failures by living his life without sin and then, by going to his cross, laying down his life for those who are suffering for your sin and dying in that sin. Harold knew God loved us in this way, giving his only son to die for him (Jn 3:16) and that he continues to love us and forgive us unconditionally and will ... in the end ... raise us from the dead, make us whole, and give eternal life to all who believe. Harold knew that. 

In baptism, God poured out upon Harold this great faith to follow Jesus all of his life. Brothers and sisters in Christ, look around and you will see in your lives how truly Harold Loman was a great fisher of men. Our Lord has touched all of your lives through Harold. 

I pray now that all of you will be able to live ... and to die ... like Harold Loman, knowing like him, that God will then wipe away every tear from your eyes too (Rv 7:17) as you see paradise. 

LIVING AND DYING IN FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS ... THAT IS THE TRULY GOOD LIFE AND GOOD DEATH.

That is the sure and certain faith by which Harold lived ... and in which he died. 

Therefore, as Saint Paul encourages us, comfort one another with these words (1 Th 4:18).

 

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