Sermon: Funeral of Beverly Scales

Mothe's Chapel

19 November 2019

Text: Matt 11:28-30 (Isa 43:1-3a, 1 Cor 15:51-57)

In the name of + Jesus.  Amen.

Dear Gilbert and Kevin, Tommy and Merlin, family and friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, and honored guests, peace be with you.

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  There are few things more stressful and more draining than caring for a loved one at home.  It is a blessing to have her at home, but the stress is simply exhausting. 

And for our dear sister in Christ Beverly, this sickness was also draining and tiring for her.  And so our Lord’s promise: “I will give you rest” is comforting – both for Beverly’s sake and for all of you.  For in Christ, we see the death of a Christian as a kind of rest.

This is not because death is in any way good.  It isn’t.  It’s horrible.  It is the cosmic cost of our sinfulness.  But our Lord Jesus Christ, by dying in our place at the cross, has taken away the sting of death.  And so for us, death is only a temporary separation, for Christ has conquered it.  And our Lord’s victory over death and the grave is Beverly’s victory. 

For hundreds of years, we have prayed that our loved ones would “rest in peace.”  For they rest in Christ, and Christ’s peace is upon them for eternity.  That is His promise, dear friends. 

It is significant that our Lord uses this word “rest.”  In this life, when we are at rest, when we are asleep, we are being refreshed.  We are waiting to be awakened to a new day.  And for us Christians, this is why we see the Christian’s death for what it is – a temporary rest until the Lord Jesus Christ awakens us. 

He says, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me.”  We learn from Jesus that He died upon the cross to cure us from death.  We learn from Jesus that God is merciful.  We learn from Jesus that His death atones for the sins of the world.  And this is why Beverly held fast to the Christian faith from the time that she was only 19 days old.  She could not remember a time when she wasn’t a Christian.  On September 23, 1934, the Rev. Eugene Schmid baptized her in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  And from that moment, the Lord promised to give her the kind of rest we are talking about – of being awakened to everlasting life, as St. Paul says: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.”  This promise was given to Beverly and to all who are baptized and believe: “the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”  And then we shall all say, “Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?”  For Beverly has this victory over death, as St. Paul says, “through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is why Beverly took part in the Lord’s Supper, what is sometimes called “the medicine of immortality.”  Even on her deathbed, Beverly hungered and thirsted for this blessed sacrament.  For she knew exactly what it means!  Beverly was taught the Christian faith, and she knew it well.  She confessed it her whole life long.

When she was thirteen years old, Beverly was confirmed by Pastor Schmid.  Each young person was given a confirmation verse.  Beverly’s was unusual: Isaiah 51:6.  It reads: “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.”

I have never before heard of this verse as a confirmation verse.  It reminded Beverly that this world is passing away, but her salvation is forever, and it is the Lord’s righteousness that is the source of her happiness.  It is in Jesus that she rests secure.

One of the last passages that I read to Beverly was also from the prophet Isaiah.  We heard it read as our Old Testament reading today.  “Thus says the Lord… ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.’”

That happened at Beverly’s baptism.  She was called by name, and the Lord’s name was put upon her as a pledge of being raised to eternal life.  God also promised Beverly: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned…. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Beverly’s uncomplaining sense of calm throughout her ordeal, her loving concern for her family to the very end, her unshaken faith in the Lord to take care of her come what may – was truly inspiring.  And when we prayed the liturgy together, she knew it by heart – for it was her Savior that placed it in her heart over the course of her life.

And now she is truly at rest, dear friends.  She waits for the Lord’s return when we will all be reunited.  This is what our Lord means when He says: “You will find rest for your souls.”

That promise is for Beverly, and for all who are baptized and who believe.  It is the Lord’s promise that is renewed every time we partake of the Holy Eucharist.  It is the ironclad promise of our Lord Jesus Christ, who walked out of His own tomb, and promises eternal life to all who believe on His name.

Beverly is at rest.  And we too can rest securely knowing that her Savior has called her by name.  He has called her home.  And He will call her to awake to a life that will never end.  He will also call us to be with her again in a joyful life without pain or sorrow, without sin or death, never to be separated again.

May she rest in peace until we see her again in glory according to the Lord’s unbreakable promise!  Amen.

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.