I was just a little knotty-kneed bur-headed kid, stuck inside a hot Oklahoma white clapboard church building. People were crying and carrying on, especially my grandmother, whom we called Granny. The congregation sang a few ol' toe-tapper songs of heaven and then when the preacher was done, we went out back and buried somebody that was one of my relatives. After a few words and a prayer at the graveside, we all hugged and went back to the church building.

People set out food — lots of food, real good food like fried chicken, potato salad, and pie. Then everyone sat around in the shade and visited, drinking sweet iced tea and laughing at old jokes and enlarged tales of family members I never knew — many of whom my parents weren't sure I should know.

I remember this event as a happy time. I also remember it was the first time I ever played washers — kids like me and old guys, playing washers under the shade of the trees. I never doubted after that day why my Granny loved funerals and cemeteries.

What about you? Are you like Granny? Do you love funerals? I'm not sure I can say I love them, but my view of them was forever changed by that life-altering event in early childhood ... and one other event. I stood before the casket of my own father at 25, at a resting place just two exits up the highway from where I now preach. I read these words of comfort from the apostle Paul:

And now, brothers and sisters, I want you to know what will happen to the Christians who have died so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died.
I can tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

I've read those words more times than I can count since then. I've stood before over-sized caskets and tiny ones, boxes for great saints and ardent sinners, young and old, tragic deaths and grand ol' saints relieved of suffering and going off to glory.

I really do believe Paul's promises. Every time I read those words, I think of the old white church building in Oklahoma and seeing interesting relatives. I remember toe-tapping to the beat of songs about heaven. I remember eating fried chicken, and chocolate pie. I remember the smell of freshly dug dirt and the clink of washers. I remember the raspy chuckles of great uncles and my G-daddy as they smoked under those trees and laughed with us as we played.

Because of Jesus — because of our faith in him, because we were buried and raised with him — funerals now remind me of our promised reunion with loved ones we haven't seen a long time and reunion with relatives we've never known except through stories! Jesus is coming for us so we can have reunion! But don't trust my word for it, look what Paul gives us as the reasons for this future:

  • Vs. 14 — our faith in Jesus' death and resurrection

  • Vs. 14 — those who die in Jesus (those who are "asleep in him") will never have their relationship with him severed

  • Vs. 15 — the Lord's own word

Funerals now remind me of our promised reunion.
Now look at the end of this little passage of graveside encouragement. Notice that Paul gives us two promises ... two certainties ... two truths that give us the assurance of reunion!

  1. We'll meet Him and them in the air

  2. We will be with Him, together, forever

We are a Sunday people — each week brings us the reminder of the Lord's resurrection! Because of that resurrection, we have the assurance that our resurrection lies ahead. Because of the Lord's resurrection, we have the gift of the Spirit. Because of the Lord's resurrection, we have each other ... forever.

Jesus' resurrection is our assurance of reunion. Better, more glorious, and more fun than that clapboard church picnic beside the cemetery, our future is secured and our party is planned. Reunion awaits ... and if you will listen, you can hear the clink of washers, smell the fried chicken, and tap your toes to the distant sound of the songs of future glory.