Funeral for Hedley Milich January 2nd 2016

+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.

Text: John 5:24
Theme: Death To Life

Dear family, friends, and loved ones of Hedley; Vicki, Steven, and especially you, Dorothy,

God speaks to us today words of hope and words of life. And His words have authority. The God who spoke the universe into existence out nothing and redeemed the human race through the Word-become-flesh, is the same God who welcomes believers into His presence with incontestable words. This he has done for Hedley Milich. Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life…he has crossed over from death to life.”1 The truth of these words is vital beyond all others.

It’s certainly not our choice to be forced to pause and reflect on this occasion. But death doesn’t give us choices. It only issues ultimatums. The ultimatums it issues are not manageable with the resources humans have at their disposal. Death is the point at which human impotence is fully exposed. It’s not part of the natural cycle of the universe. It’s the consequence of the human race becoming estranged from God. Death is the final temporal consequence of the curse of sin. The Holy Spirit could hardly issue a clearer call to repentance than to cause us to reflect clearly on mortality. If we don’t believe we are at God’s mercy how will we face our own death? We’ve been conditioned to think that age, frailty, or suffering makes death more timely; more acceptable. But death is only timely when we understand it as the moment God choses to relieve the believer from the burden of sin.

The untimeliness of sin’s curse was rectified by God in His own time. The Scripture says, “When the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law.”2 In the face of a reality that is far beyond the control of all human powers, only the assurances of the Almighty have meaning. The most well-prepared and eloquently delivered human words are but hollow sounds in comparison with Him who holds the very power of life and death in His hands. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.”3 He says, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”4

On the cross Jesus said, “It is finished.”5 Those were life-giving words for all who believe. Those were words that finalized God’s eternal, divine love. Heady knew Christ’s words. He knew His love. Like all who pass through the portal to heaven, Hedley was a sinner who was saved by grace. In his baptism he was deemed a saint. He has now become the beneficiary of his inheritance. He has become a participant with the heavenly hosts, saints and angels, in ceaseless enthrallment with the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Heaven will involve an intimacy, and rapport with others that is simply not possible in this life. And that probably suits Hedley just fine. Hedley had a keen and lively interest in people. He liked to be up to speed with their interests, circumstances, and the challenges and joys of their lives. It was a quality he especially modeled with those he was closest to. He was dedicated to his family; a faithful husband, devoted father, and passionate grandfather. The time he spent with them was marked with genuine enjoyment.

Hedley spent his vocational life working the land. He knew what a hard day’s work was and he understood that farming depends on the providence of God. His faith was part and parcel with his perspective on life. Hedley was a dedicated and active servant in God’s kingdom. He was a regular attender in God’s house and attentive to the Word. I remember distinctly when I took Divine Services at Riverview that though Hedley’s eyesight was failing he was listening intently. Not infrequently he had a relevant query or comment. He meditated on God’s promises and they bore fruit in his life.

Hedley has been freed from all the consequences of sin. At the resurrection his sight will be fully restored and he will behold the face of God. Believers in the past have called this the ‘beatific vision’. It is the direct, unmediated communication of God with the individual person. But for us who remain under the burdens of our mortality we struggle along in faith. God communicates with us through His word and sacraments. Dorothy, you can never be closer to Hedley- not at the cemetery, not in your fondest or most vivid memories- then you will be when you take Holy Communion. For in that sacred meal you communicate with the risen Christ in whose presence Hedley now dwells. May the Holy Spirit temper your grief with that promise! May the Good Shepherd guide you through the dark valleys until you meet him again in glory!

You may have noticed during the reading of the obituary that the number seven featured prominently in Hedley and Dorothy’s life. Seven years at Nangari. Seven years at Yinkannie. Seven years at Bugle Hut. Almost seven years at Pyap West too. Seven is a very biblical number. It is a number of completeness. It is the number for the Sabbath; the day of rest. Hedley now rests from his labours. He enjoys an eternal Sabbath for he has entered into the rest that Christ provides for all the faithful. He has crossed over from death to life. Thanks be to God! In Christ’s most holy name, amen.

+ In nomine Jesu +

Christian Burial of Hedley Milich
2 January, 2016
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt

1 John 5:24 2 Galatians 4:4-5 3 John 11:25-26 4 Revelation 1:17-18
5 John 19:30