From a sermon preached at Valparaiso University (November 1, 1981)
The hands that hold us are the hands pierced on Calvary. They hold us while the wired-up body lies in intensive care and the machinery keeps some heartbeat going and we wonder if the person is still there. Whether the body is inert or wrenching, we stand in reverence before what may be passing between that person and the Lord. He knows. With our prayers we draw closer. We hope that person is in the hands of the Lamb who was slain for him, for her, for you. No separation there either.
Knowing that, we are free, free to mourn with a mourning that is free of pretenses, free fully and truthfully to mourn, free to weep the tears that Jesus shares with us as we hear His words; "Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4) The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. He, the Lamb who was slain, has been through it all and made the way through for us. He doesn't just talk comfort. He has done it at Calvary for us.
