Elaine Witt Funeral

As I came to know Elaine over the past few years, there was a certain sadness about her. She frequently told me how much she missed Otto. She really depended on him, and missed his calming influence. She loved him. I could see was that she also deeply loved her family.

In her room she kept a picture of her and Otto. Alongside her bed in the nursing home was a poster full of pictures of her family. And I would often ask her about them. She would perk up and smile and talk about each one, and what was going on with them. It was great therapy for her. Talking about her family was the one thing that really made her smile.

What was clear was that she loved you all, her family, her friends at church, and missed you very much. She also loved the Lord. When I brought her communion, we would have good discussions about the gospel and the promise of Eternal life. Her love was the power of her life.  Today, let us honor her love.

Let me tell you a love story. What is the most famous monument ever built in honor of love? Some would say it is the incomparable Taj Mahal‑‑a shimmering, white jewel that seems to float over the hot Indian plain. It is a tomb, and it tells one of the greatest love stories of all time.

A great shah, when he was only nineteen, fell in love with a highborn beauty and married her. She gave the shah many children. She ruled at his side as an equal. He adored her and brought her diamonds and flowers. He promised that one day, he would build her a huge new mansion to live in. In the tenth year of their marriage, once again she was with child, but this time, something strange occurred. She confided that shortly before the baby was born, she heard it cry in her womb‑‑an ill omen.

A healthy baby girl was born, but the queen did not recover. As she lay dying, she whispered a final wish to her grief‑stricken husband, "Build that mansion you promised to build for us. Make it a monument so pure and perfect that anyone who comes to it will feel the great power of our love." She paused and then added, "and the even greater power of death." In his grief, the Shaw built the Taj Mahal as a monument to their love, and to the deadly power of death 

In our Christian faith, we don’t have that kind of monument to love or death. But we have the love of Jesus, and the promise of eternal life. He loved his disciples so much that he gave his life for all who follow him. The monument we have is an empty tomb. We believe that Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus showed us that love is more powerful than death. His love is more powerful than death. With his love, he gives us eternal life.

Our reading is from the story of Jesus and two sisters, Mary and Martha who are greatly distressed over the death of their brother, Lazarus. Jesus reassured Martha that he is the resurrection and the life. Jesus loved Lazarus, and cried with them at his death. When Jesus finally came to his tomb, Lazarus had been dead for four days. But then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out,” and he came out of the grave. And here’s the promise Elaine and all Christians know so well. Jesus also came out of the grave, and now lives with God the father so that we can live in his resurrection.  The empty tomb is the testament and proof of God’s love for us.

Elaine has now discovered the truth of the love and promise of Christ. Her favorite song was one that Otto and she sang together in the dark. Silent Night, Holy Night is a song of peace. Silent Night Holy Night, all is calm as is bright. For Elaine, Christmas Eve was the promise of life and peace. To live in Christ is like Christmas morning. One more surprise that gift that God want’s to give us. Let us commend Elaine and our selves the love of God in Christ Jesus, AMEN..