The Funeral rite for a Christian person begins with this affirmation of Baptism ….
Don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. This is a direct quote from Romans 6. It goes right to the heart of the matter when we are confronted with life and death, as we are at funerals.
As a Pastor, to be able to quote this truth at the funeral of a Christian person is an amazing assurance of life – full life – real life – life lived in the context of eternity. It assures everyone there, that God who created life, guarantees life. This includes eternal life with him for all those who live in faith.
Real life is lived in the faith of our Baptism. Real life places our lives into the context of eternity. Real life places our lives into the body of Christ (into whom we are baptised) – into the bride of Christ, into the Church. Real life places us into a life of hope in the promises of God – of his word – of what he has done and of what he promises to do.
When we take our everyday and ordinary lives into this context, then we are truly living a full life that is totally, completely, all embracingly real. Is that your life? If not, do you want it to be your life? Then let’s pray for you and each other that our lives are completed and made fully real in Jesus!