+ RIP Warren Aaron Ewy +

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

Today we stand at the foot of a mountain. Our whole lives are spent in circling this mountain, in paths through a strange and wild land. However, today, we praise the Lord God that He has called Warren Ewy from his path of wandering up onto the high mountain, into the House of the Lord.

Throughout these many years, Warren wandered a wide and varied path. As he moved often in his younger years, he probably felt some of the same trials as the Israelites wandering in the desert. Who are we? Where are we going? When will we settle in one place? Even as he settled on the farm in his adult years, there was never stillness about him. Even up to the end, Warren was a man of diligence and hard work. There is no rest along the path of life. Days progress. Seasons change. The land yields its bounty only through hard work and the sweat of the brow. The lawn is not going to mow itself.

And likewise, we all have our journey to travel. We each experience great joys and triumphs – first loves, graduations, marriages, the birth of children and grandchildren, owning a home. Those things help us gather strength for our walk along life's path. We also have our trials and tribulations to face – rejection, sickness, death of loved ones, poor decisions, loss of livelihood. Those things often tempt us to slow down. Sometimes we feel as though we must stop in the middle of the road, that we just cannot go any further. The road ahead is long and hard and uncertain. But we cannot turn backward.

Along the road, we are tried and tempted and assailed on all sides. The accuser burdens us with the guilt and shame of our own misbehavior and wrong decisions. The devourer seeks to steal our life, goods, fame, child, and wife. The shadow of death is continually over us like a heavy mantle. We are led into the desert, where there is little food and no water. We hunger for love and joy, but find rejection and ridicule. We thirst for kindness and fulfillment, but find abuse and abandonment. The road around the mountain is long and hard and treacherous. If we wander from the center, or if we stop, all is lost, for the wolves come out of the shadows to devour us.

But this road is not endless. And we are not alone upon life's way. For there comes one who is stronger than the devourer, more righteous than the accuser. The Lord our God has sent to us His own Son, Jesus Christ our Savior, to lead us out of death into life. In the midst of our darkness and tribulations, Jesus comes to us and fills us with the bright beams of His grace and truth. In our isolation, Jesus comes to us and puts His holy name upon us and claims us as His own. Though our road may be long and winding, the cross of Christ stands for us as a great standard, to which our road heads. In His holy, innocent death, He took upon Himself our sin, death, and guilt. In His death, He has destroyed death. For death cannot destroy the Lord of Life. Darkness cannot overcome the Light of the World.

In his Baptism, Warren experienced the death to sin once and for all. As he rose out of those blessed waters, he was added to the number of the saints enrolled in the Book of Life. The Holy Spirit was poured out into his heart. Likewise, each of us have been given this precious gift of new life with Christ. Though our way become difficult, we are not discouraged, for the Comforter is with us to lead and to guide and to speak peace to our troubled souls. Though the devourer come against us, we are not afraid, for the Good Shepherd is with us, to protect and defend us from all evil. Though sorry tarry through the night, joy and peace come with the dawn of the Sun of Righteousness.

Though our path through the wilderness seems long and hard, it comes to an end. Our Lord will call His children home, each at the proper time. Warren has been called to the House of the Lord upon His holy mountain. He has entered the banquet of our God. He is feasting at the table of rich foods and the choicest wines, and enjoying the promised rest of the saints. On the mountain of the Lord, there is no sorrow or sickness, no dying or decay, no hard work or heavy burdens. For those in the House of the Lord have come to Him who gives rest. For on His holy mountain, the Lord has swallowed up death forever and has torn the veil covering His people.

And we too enjoy the feast of the Lord in His House, although only in part. As we approach His altar, heaven comes to earth and Our Lord offers us the greatest and best food – His very Body and Blood – which forgives our sins, binds us together with all the faithful, and strengthens us for our journey along life's way. Gathered around the Table of the Lord, we are joined to the heavenly hosts at the banquet Table and our voices mingle with theirs in the praises of our God.

So rejoice today that Warren has received his eternal rest. Rejoice in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection on the Last Day, when we shall once again be united all together. And until then, be comforted with the peace of God and the forgiveness of sins. And though the road seem long and hard, it is not in vain.

“Comfort, comfort ye My people,

Speak ye peace,” thus saith our God;

“Comfort those who sit in darkness,

Mourning 'neath their sorrows' load.

Speak ye to Jerusalem

Of the peace that waits for them;

Tell her that her sins I cover

And her warfare now is over.”

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.