God’s love speaks more loudly than death

You probably know the old proverb that the only things sure in life are death and taxes. We have been living that proverb at St. John the last couple of weeks.

Last week, we had a funeral for regular St. John worshiper Burton Fields, who passed away from lung cancer. Then this past Friday the funeral was held for 18-year-old Zach Sharlow, killed in a tragic car accident, and we grieved with his family and friends as they said goodbye and took comfort from God’s love. There have also been other deaths that have touched our congregation and God’s ministry here.

And, if all that isn’t enough, our Promise Keepers’ Men’s Group began a new Bible study this week. The title of the study is “Death — Then What?” One of our attendees, Fred Voight, even said something about the dark days of January being a time we often experience death in Alaska.

There are a lot of grieving and hurting people in our community right now. While we cannot take away the hurt of loss, there is comfort to give in these times of grief. Surprisingly, some of that comfort comes from another death of sorts.

Last Sunday, we had a baptism in worship for 80-year-old Al McNiven. This Sunday, 4-year-old Leland Nichols will be baptized. Baptism is described in Romans 6:3-4 as death. God tells us in Romans that in baptism we die with Jesus to rise with him and walk in newness of life. Baptism is also described as new life in John 3:3-5. It isn’t the water that turns death into life, but the relationship with Jesus does this. God uses the Word and the water of baptism to work faith and strengthen faith in Jesus. When we are joined to Jesus we are united with the one who died in love for us to defeat sin and who rose to give eternal life.

Death and taxes may be inevitable, but they do not have the final word. God’s love speaks more loudly than death, and God’s Word speaks more loudly than the sin that causes death, because in love he took on our suffering himself so that we might be saved through Him.

So, in two weeks we will have experienced two funerals and two baptisms. We have encountered death and the victory over death that God gives in Jesus. No wonder God caused Paul to write to the Christians in Rome, “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:8)

I am glad that Burton and Zach knew Jesus who overcomes death. I am glad Al and Leland know Jesus and are growing in his love and life. There is reason to rejoice both at the victory over death and new life which God gives to his people.

Jonathan Rockey is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer. Contact him at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

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