Grace, Mercy and Peace to you from God our Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Our texts today are the readings just read.
Diane. Sandy and Karen. Family and friends in Christ. It has been a long fight. For three and a half years, Albert fought cancer. Cancer that slowly spread through all of Albert’s body. Cancer that continued to grow despite treatment. Cancer that though Albert fought it bravely, slowly wore him down until this last Sunday morning, finally the battle was over for Albert. No longer would he face the pain and suffering that he had been the last few weeks. Finally, his life came to its end.
As we look at this situation it would be easy to say, “Albert has lost his fight with cancer,” or to say “The battle is over, and cancer finally won its fight against Albert.” But I tell you the truth, this battle was not lost. That is a bold statement, even as we are gathered here to mourn the passing of a husband, father and a grandfather, but I will say it again, Albert’s battle was not a loss. For Albert looked to something bigger than himself. He trusted in something that gives victory even in the face of loss. That gives triumph even in the face of sin and death. He trusted in Jesus and was baptized into His holy name for the forgiveness of all of his sins.
Albert showed this belief faithfully over the last few years, even as cancer began its attack on his body. In the midst of it, Albert regularly attended church and still volunteered often to help people around town. It is the same faith that Job confesses in our Old Testament lesson. Just like Albert, and just like us, Job suffered in his life. Job lost all of his possessions and family but even in the midst of these things Job confessed, “I know that my redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.” For this is the same faith Albert had and confessed, that in the face of death Jesus lives. In the face of suffering and disease, we may look to Jesus for healing and help. And that because of Jesus’ life death and resurrection, all who share in this baptismal faith will one day see God with their own eyes.
For our Lord knows the fight that we are in. Our Lord knows that this world is not a happy place. He knows that every day we wake up and face anew the pains and struggles of this sinful life. Jesus was there with Albert as Albert fought sin in his life. He was there as Albert fought cancer and other struggles brought about by our sin. He was there, and did not leave or forsake Albert.
In the same way Jesus knows you and I too are at battle with our sin and with death. We face hurt. We face anguish. We struggle to survive, and we hurt as we watch loved ones pass away. We battle death, and are unable to overcome our own sin.
But even though it may seem we are losing, we are not. Even though it looks like we are fighting a losing battle, we know the strife is over, the battle is won. Jesus, “the way, the truth and the life”, on the night he was betrayed said to his disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” That is our promise, that where Jesus is, there we will be also. And that is the promise that Albert is experiencing right now: Resting with Jesus in victory.
That Victory was won nearly 2000 years ago on a bloody cross. It was a victory won as Jesus purchased Albert and yes you as well with his Holy Precious blood, innocent suffering and death. There on the cross of Calvary, Albert’s Victory was made complete.
And in that victory, Albert no longer deals with this sinful world. No longer does he struggle against Cancer, but instead is comforted by Jesus. No longer is there pain and suffering for him, no longer are there medications, but there is peace and joy in the arms of his God. Jesus has won the victory, because he gave up his own life in our place on a Friday we call Good. There he was pierced for all of your sins and for all of Albert’s sins and for the sins of the whole world. There He gave up his life into the death we deserve in our sin, and there He won life for all who believe in him. In the cross of Jesus we see what love is, “not that we love God, but that God loves us, and gives himself up for us.”
God’s love sends His Son to die for us. His love washes us in Christ’ blood in baptism, just as Albert himself was. God’s love feeds us with the very sacrificed body and blood of Jesus for our sins, as Albert received it a few days ago. God’s love always gives, and Albert faithfully received grace and forgiveness as he continued his battle.
In God’s love, He adopts us that we should be called children of God; and so we are. …we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is,” We shall see him as the crucified and Risen lord Jesus, just as Albert sees him today in paradise. And when we are there, we too shall see Albert again as well.
Friends, for Albert, the strife is over. The battle is won. For in Jesus Christ’s holy and precious blood, he has been purchased. “He is now before the throne of God, worshipping him day and night in his temple. He shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike him nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be his shepherd, and Jesus will guide him to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from his eyes.” For Albert the battle is over, the victory is won. He now rests with Jesus. Amen.
