Too Good to Be True
Funeral for Sally Ann Thoemke on August 24, 2010
John 10:11-16, 27-29 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-- and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
Almost daily there are advertisements that make incredible claims: “This is the best product on the market.” “This is the most effective ever seen.” “There is nothing that can compare with this.” These are just a few of the claims. Then, the offer becomes even more enticing: “Double the amount at an incredible savings.” Finally, there is the clincher: “A 100% money back guarantee.” Almost immediately the thought ignites: “This is too good to be true.”
Too good to be true. Disappointment can usually be avoided when this proverb is followed. It is a reliable rule of thumb, except in one instance. The one exception is with Jesus. In a very precious and picturesque way, Jesus proclaims, “I am the Good Shepherd.” What makes this claim believable is how he backs it up. Jesus gives more than a money back guarantee. He even offers more than double the regular amount. He provides solid and unmistakable proof.
Today we can see the proof in the way the Good Shepherd took care of His dear sheep, Sally, throughout her life. The Lord Jesus was with Sally as she was born on April 2, 1929. Bill found Sally’s baby book and it described how Jesus took care of Sally as she took her first automobile ride on April 13, followed by her first carriage ride on May 3, 1929. What we take for granted, Grandma Mahnke did not.
Sally married Bill and together they had four daughters. As a father of four girls myself, I know how much Jesus is needed in the family – of course as our Lord and Savior, but sometimes its nice just have another guy to talk to, right Bill? Bill knows what I’m talking about. He left the house early every morning and worked long hours. I think he did that so he got into the bathroom before the five women got in there.
The Lord Jesus was certainly with Sally as she changed in her later years with her Alzheimer’s. She wasn’t the same person. Her disease was not only robbing Sally of her memory, but it was robbing you of your wife, mother, grandmother. And so, though the leukemia came on fast and strong, I think it is safe to say that it also came by way of God’s grace. It was the Father’s way of rescuing His child from a horrific disease.
Though Sally had trouble remembering a lot of things, somehow she always seemed to remember to say, “Guten morgan,” to me while shaking my hand on a Sunday morning.
Throughout Sally’s life, you can see the unmistakable proof that Jesus was present. Nowhere more than in Sally’s church home – here at Epiphany. Sally was a life-long member at Epiphany – for 81 years. Two years after the church was built, Elmer and Doris Mahnke brought their daughter to this font to be washed of her sins and brought into God’s family through the sacrament of Baptism. Years later, Sally confirmed her baptism as she stood before the Lord’s altar to make her confirmation vows. And in 1948, she stood with Bill before the stained glass window of their Good Shepherd making their vows of love to each other and their Lord.
Epiphany Lutheran Church and its school were always important to Bill and Sally and their family. Sally’s uncle was the first president of Epiphany. Four of the stained glass windows in the back of the church were donated by Mahnke’s. Bill and Sally moved to 21st Street just so the girls could go to school here – so they could walk home to have lunch with Mom and Dad every school day. How cool is that? That doesn’t happen much anymore.
Here at Epiphany, Sally was a charter member of the Home Guild and served as the Guild’s president a few times. She helped with church dinners, was in charge of the flowers for the altar and served on the school’s PTA. As Sally’s parents stood at this font, altar and communion rail with her, so Sally and Bill were here for each of their daughter’s baptisms, confirmations and knelt with them as they received the Lord’s Supper together. Bill and Sally’s strong faith is evident in how active their daughter’s and grandchildren are in their home churches.
For 81 years, Sally called Epiphany her church. But now she has been transferred to the Lord’s temple in heaven where she will remain a member for eternity. For 81 years, Sally lived here in Racine near the Root River, but her new home is along the River of Life, surrounded by green pastures and quiet waters. Though the Alzheimer’s stole Sally’s memory from her so that she did not know her family at times, her Good Shepherd always knew His precious lamb. She heard His voice calling, held her hands in His nail-pierced hands and followed Him to eternal life. For as Sally’s Shepherd led her here in this life, so He has led Sally through the valley of the shadow of death and into the life of paradise.
And that’s why we are here this afternoon. To remember Sally, yes; and her life, yes. But more importantly, to hear once again the words and promises of our Savior to us, that this life is not all there is; that those who die in the Lord we will see again; to be assured that Sally laid her sins on Jesus, that she was saved by Amazing Grace and it all through Christ Alone.
Though we’ve talked a lot about the sheep, it is even more important that we talk about the Shepherd of the sheep. It is His relationship with Sally that is the reason why we are here this morning.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. It seems so obvious to say, but Good is what our Savior-Shepherd is. He proved it on the cross, when He laid down His life for His sheep. When He took our sins upon Himself and then died our death so that we might live. He is no hired hand that cuts and runs when the going gets tough – but a Shepherd who sticks by His sheep. For He doesn’t see the dark and dangerous valley and say, “I’ll see you on the other side.” No, He walks with us every step of the way through this valley of death for He knows the way. He walked it before with His own death on the cross.
He is the Savior-Shepherd who came into this world of sin and troubles and death, not to promise us that we would avoid the troubles of this world, but to be with us through it all. And He was with Sally through the singing with the girls while doing the dishes, through the family camping trips, the World’s Fair or while Bill was in Iwo Jima, when they traveled to Alaska or Hawaii or Europe, and even when Sally didn’t want to leave the house anymore because it was a safe place – Jesus was with Sally through it all.
It all sounds too good to be true.
Think about the claim Jesus makes as the Good Shepherd. When you are ignored by an impersonal world, the Good Shepherd knows you personally. When you are rejected because of failure and disappointment, the Good Shepherd calls you His own. When your cries for help go unanswered, the Good Shepherd responds in the best way possible.
Whether we are talking about Sally or you, it almost sounds too good to be true. But it is true! The assurance comes from what Jesus did for us, and what He daily does for every one of us. His work is the proof we need. His obedient life, His willing death on the cross, His precious shed blood, His victorious resurrection, here are indisputable evidences. Our Savior-Shepherd is there for Sally, for you, for me, and He will always be there. He even gives us His word: “I know you.”
Although this may sound too good to be true, it is the good news Jesus established through His innocent suffering and death. Jesus is my Good Shepherd. He knows me, and He loves me! Jesus is your Good Shepherd. He knows you, and He loves you! Jesus was and still is Sally’s Good Shepherd. He knows her, and He loves her and she is with Him right now!
Because Jesus is our Good Shepherd, we will follow Him through this life. We will also follow Him to life in heaven. Just as Sally did. It’s so good! And it’s so true! Amen.
John 10:11-16, 27-29 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-- and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.
Too good to be true
Almost daily there are advertisements that make incredible claims: “This is the best product on the market.” “This is the most effective ever seen.” “There is nothing that can compare with this.” These are just a few of the claims. Then, the offer becomes even more enticing: “Double the amount at an incredible savings.” Finally, there is the clincher: “A 100% money back guarantee.” Almost immediately the thought ignites: “This is too good to be true.”
Too good to be true. Disappointment can usually be avoided when this proverb is followed. It is a reliable rule of thumb, except in one instance. The one exception is with Jesus. In a very precious and picturesque way, Jesus proclaims, “I am the Good Shepherd.” What makes this claim believable is how he backs it up. Jesus gives more than a money back guarantee. He even offers more than double the regular amount. He provides solid and unmistakable proof.
Today we can see the proof in the way the Good Shepherd took care of His dear sheep, Sally, throughout her life. The Lord Jesus was with Sally as she was born on April 2, 1929. Bill found Sally’s baby book and it described how Jesus took care of Sally as she took her first automobile ride on April 13, followed by her first carriage ride on May 3, 1929. What we take for granted, Grandma Mahnke did not.
Sally married Bill and together they had four daughters. As a father of four girls myself, I know how much Jesus is needed in the family – of course as our Lord and Savior, but sometimes its nice just have another guy to talk to, right Bill? Bill knows what I’m talking about. He left the house early every morning and worked long hours. I think he did that so he got into the bathroom before the five women got in there.
The Lord Jesus was certainly with Sally as she changed in her later years with her Alzheimer’s. She wasn’t the same person. Her disease was not only robbing Sally of her memory, but it was robbing you of your wife, mother, grandmother. And so, though the leukemia came on fast and strong, I think it is safe to say that it also came by way of God’s grace. It was the Father’s way of rescuing His child from a horrific disease.
Though Sally had trouble remembering a lot of things, somehow she always seemed to remember to say, “Guten morgan,” to me while shaking my hand on a Sunday morning.
Throughout Sally’s life, you can see the unmistakable proof that Jesus was present. Nowhere more than in Sally’s church home – here at Epiphany. Sally was a life-long member at Epiphany – for 81 years. Two years after the church was built, Elmer and Doris Mahnke brought their daughter to this font to be washed of her sins and brought into God’s family through the sacrament of Baptism. Years later, Sally confirmed her baptism as she stood before the Lord’s altar to make her confirmation vows. And in 1948, she stood with Bill before the stained glass window of their Good Shepherd making their vows of love to each other and their Lord.
Epiphany Lutheran Church and its school were always important to Bill and Sally and their family. Sally’s uncle was the first president of Epiphany. Four of the stained glass windows in the back of the church were donated by Mahnke’s. Bill and Sally moved to 21st Street just so the girls could go to school here – so they could walk home to have lunch with Mom and Dad every school day. How cool is that? That doesn’t happen much anymore.
Here at Epiphany, Sally was a charter member of the Home Guild and served as the Guild’s president a few times. She helped with church dinners, was in charge of the flowers for the altar and served on the school’s PTA. As Sally’s parents stood at this font, altar and communion rail with her, so Sally and Bill were here for each of their daughter’s baptisms, confirmations and knelt with them as they received the Lord’s Supper together. Bill and Sally’s strong faith is evident in how active their daughter’s and grandchildren are in their home churches.
For 81 years, Sally called Epiphany her church. But now she has been transferred to the Lord’s temple in heaven where she will remain a member for eternity. For 81 years, Sally lived here in Racine near the Root River, but her new home is along the River of Life, surrounded by green pastures and quiet waters. Though the Alzheimer’s stole Sally’s memory from her so that she did not know her family at times, her Good Shepherd always knew His precious lamb. She heard His voice calling, held her hands in His nail-pierced hands and followed Him to eternal life. For as Sally’s Shepherd led her here in this life, so He has led Sally through the valley of the shadow of death and into the life of paradise.
And that’s why we are here this afternoon. To remember Sally, yes; and her life, yes. But more importantly, to hear once again the words and promises of our Savior to us, that this life is not all there is; that those who die in the Lord we will see again; to be assured that Sally laid her sins on Jesus, that she was saved by Amazing Grace and it all through Christ Alone.
Though we’ve talked a lot about the sheep, it is even more important that we talk about the Shepherd of the sheep. It is His relationship with Sally that is the reason why we are here this morning.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. It seems so obvious to say, but Good is what our Savior-Shepherd is. He proved it on the cross, when He laid down His life for His sheep. When He took our sins upon Himself and then died our death so that we might live. He is no hired hand that cuts and runs when the going gets tough – but a Shepherd who sticks by His sheep. For He doesn’t see the dark and dangerous valley and say, “I’ll see you on the other side.” No, He walks with us every step of the way through this valley of death for He knows the way. He walked it before with His own death on the cross.
He is the Savior-Shepherd who came into this world of sin and troubles and death, not to promise us that we would avoid the troubles of this world, but to be with us through it all. And He was with Sally through the singing with the girls while doing the dishes, through the family camping trips, the World’s Fair or while Bill was in Iwo Jima, when they traveled to Alaska or Hawaii or Europe, and even when Sally didn’t want to leave the house anymore because it was a safe place – Jesus was with Sally through it all.
It all sounds too good to be true.
Think about the claim Jesus makes as the Good Shepherd. When you are ignored by an impersonal world, the Good Shepherd knows you personally. When you are rejected because of failure and disappointment, the Good Shepherd calls you His own. When your cries for help go unanswered, the Good Shepherd responds in the best way possible.
Whether we are talking about Sally or you, it almost sounds too good to be true. But it is true! The assurance comes from what Jesus did for us, and what He daily does for every one of us. His work is the proof we need. His obedient life, His willing death on the cross, His precious shed blood, His victorious resurrection, here are indisputable evidences. Our Savior-Shepherd is there for Sally, for you, for me, and He will always be there. He even gives us His word: “I know you.”
Although this may sound too good to be true, it is the good news Jesus established through His innocent suffering and death. Jesus is my Good Shepherd. He knows me, and He loves me! Jesus is your Good Shepherd. He knows you, and He loves you! Jesus was and still is Sally’s Good Shepherd. He knows her, and He loves her and she is with Him right now!
Because Jesus is our Good Shepherd, we will follow Him through this life. We will also follow Him to life in heaven. Just as Sally did. It’s so good! And it’s so true! Amen.
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