The Way Through Death

The Way Through Death

The Funeral of Doris Just – 4/25/2026

John 14:1-7

Rev. Dr. Christopher W. Brademeyer

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

That portion of God’s holy Word for consideration today is our reading from the holy Gospel according to St. John in the fourteenth chapter with special emphasis on verse six which reads as follows:

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Thus far the Scriptures.

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

            The way, the truth, the life. Jesus says that these are what He is. Jesus is not giving us a mere metaphor or poetic description. He is teaching us that there is something greater than sin, than death, than the Devil. And that greater One is none other than Jesus Christ, Himself. He is the way through sin to forgiveness and the way through death. He is the truth that overcomes all lies and falsehoods. He is Life, and grants everlasting life to those who believe in Him.

            What does this mean for us today? It means that Doris Just is not defeated by death. She is not held captive by that great power of the grave. She has the forgiveness earned in the death of her Savior.

            This is not to say that there is nothing worth noting about Doris in this life. God

blessed you with a dear wife of sixty years to Dennis. From that blessed union came children, grandchildren; indeed, a rich family life. She was involved in her community and congregations, serving in Christian love in a variety of ways. Much can, and should, be said about the good gift from God that is Doris. Indeed, it would be a strange thing to not have anything worth remembering at the end of life.

            But if all we have are memories, then we lack hope. Though this is not pleasant to contemplate, resorting to only recollection is conceding that our loved ones are gone and that there is nothing to hope for in the future. Fondly recalling good times is a wonderful thing, but it is insufficient.

            This is why we do not look to the past of our loved ones to find hope for a better future. Instead, we look to Christ, to His past, His present, and His future return. Simply put, the basis of our hope for Doris is that Christ died, Christ rose, Christ today bestows Himself to His people through His Word and the holy Sacraments, and that He will come again.

            Doris was not left alone in this life. Through good and bad, pleasant times and suffering, she was kept by her Savior. He baptized her into Himself as a little girl. He brought her to His Word and His forgiveness again and again. He gave Her the very body and blood He gave up on the cross in the Lord’s Supper to sustain her and strengthen her in this life. And all of this work of Christ, by His holy Spirit, through His Word and sacraments. Again and again Doris was fed and sustained by the Word of God so that when this day would come, she would be ready to meet her Lord.

            Such is the love of God that He sent His Son to make away for sinners such as me, you, and Doris to enter into paradise. And this is assured not by the good life that we lead, the works that we do, or anything else, but by the work of Christ alone. Such is the human condition that all that we can offer God is laced with our sin and imperfection. It is common to hear at funerals that “good people go to heaven.” This would be true if, by good, we mean that we have never sinned. But all have sinned. And this certainly sounds like bad news, but it is for sinners that Christ came.

            Jesus did not come into this world to save the righteous or the spiritually well-to-do. No, He came to shed His blood for sinners, for rebels, for you, for me, for Doris. And, by His death, He has granted forgiveness, life, and salvation to all who believe in Him.

            This is all to say that we can speak with confidence of the fate of Doris Just. She is with Christ, resting from her labors, enjoying His eternal Sabbath. And she is there not because she was perfect, but because He gave it to her.

            So, dear friends in Christ, it is appropriate to mourn, to have joy that her suffering is ended, to grieve, and reminisce. But even more, we must confess the truth that the hope of Christ never disappoints, that the Lord never reneges on His promises, and never abandons His work of salvation.

            Feelings at times like this are varied and sometimes contradictory, but they do not reveal the truth sin, death, or the fate of Doris. No, Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. And by His blessed work of shedding His holy and precious blood unto death, Doris and all sinners who suffer in this world are given forgiveness, salvation, even everlasting life.

Chris is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

In the holy Name of + Jesus. Amen.

The peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.