The Stonecutter
Sermon
Life Everlasting
The Essential Book of Funeral Resources
Object:
For an eighty-year-old skilled craftsman
The Stonecutter
Revelation 21:1-5
This morning, I would like to direct our attention to the book of Revelation, to the passage given to us by the prophet John, who writes: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth ... I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem ... Behold, I make all things new" (vv. 1, 2, 5).
What is striking in this New Testament passage of five verses of scripture is that three of the five verses contain or speak of newness.
The biblical writer talks about former things passing away. He speaks of God, our God, being with us, caring for us, wiping away our tears of sorrow; removing the mourning and pain from our lives.
What is in this passage is a description of God we believe in and worship. God being revealed as a God of restoration. Yes, a God who creates us, but also a God who moves through life with us. A God who renews us when renewal is needed and wanted.
John was a man who engaged in the important work of creativity and renewal. John, or Papa, if you will, was a stonecutter by trade. He was an artist in his own right -- a sculptor of marble. Using his knowledge, years of experience, and artistic ability, John worked long hours over many years. As most artisans he had his own style, he marched to the beat of his own drummer. He was, as has been shared with me, a jack of all trades. John was a man who made his living cutting, grinding, and polishing marble.
Yet, his demeanor to people was compassionately soft. He always greeted his wife, with, "Good morning. How are you? Hope it doesn't rain today." John's gentle spirit with others was also reflected in his stonecutting. He would be so precise in his art, that the residue of his labors was fine powder versus chips or pieces.
I've read where some of the world's finest quality marble came from Nigerian marble mines. Mines that closed in the early 1900s. I'm sure if John were with us today, he would say, "We don't find marble like we used to." And I'm sure, you who knew and loved John would agree, that there just aren't stonecutters nor men like John today. John, or Papa, as he was called by his family, was himself like Nigerian marble. As a person he was a rare find.
The marble John worked with has changed over the years. People have changed over the years. Life has changed over the years. But most importantly for each and all of us today, is to know that the love God has for us and the comfort, strength, and hope God brings to our lives doesn't change. It is constant. It is dependable. It is certain. Just as John renewed and repaired items of marble for churches, museums, and antique shops, God can renew and repair your lives that have been disrupted and broken by sorrow, brought on by John's death. Our God is a God of renewal and restoration. Our God looks upon each of us. God looks upon each of you as your loved one, John, looked upon each piece or item of marble that needed his special attention, skill, and care for its repair, restoration, and renewal. You see, studying, cutting, grinding, polishing, and sculpting fine marble doesn't take place overnight. Neither does God's work in us. Working with fine marble properly takes time. So, too, God's healing in our lives takes time. A half day or longer is used in grinding marble. Another half day or more in polishing the marble. Then, one must begin the careful sculpting process.
Friends, we are like fine marble in the eyes of God. Like John, each of us is unique, different, and special. Like marble, some of us are stronger than others. God has created us individually in different colors, tints, and strengths. As we weather the storms of life. As we go through events and changes in life, like illnesses, difficulties, the death of loved ones, like marble, we need the maker God, to restore and renew us. That restoration. That care. That process of renewal, and healing from God will occur. The good news is this: Just as John, or Papa, was there to restore the marble he worked with, or to give thanks and love and gentleness to all he met and to you whom he loved, God is present to you now. Our faith proclaims that God will be with you in the days and weeks ahead, to help strengthen, uphold, and heal you regarding this loss. For John, there is a new heaven and new earth; a New Jerusalem for, as the lesson proclaims, "the dwelling of God is with all people. God will dwell with them."
For each of us, for each of you, there will be a new life. As the scripture assures us: God will be with you to wipe away every tear from your eyes and death shall be no more ... neither shall there be mourning nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:3-4).
I commend you to the special love and care of our God who grants us new life. Amen.
The Stonecutter
Revelation 21:1-5
This morning, I would like to direct our attention to the book of Revelation, to the passage given to us by the prophet John, who writes: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth ... I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem ... Behold, I make all things new" (vv. 1, 2, 5).
What is striking in this New Testament passage of five verses of scripture is that three of the five verses contain or speak of newness.
The biblical writer talks about former things passing away. He speaks of God, our God, being with us, caring for us, wiping away our tears of sorrow; removing the mourning and pain from our lives.
What is in this passage is a description of God we believe in and worship. God being revealed as a God of restoration. Yes, a God who creates us, but also a God who moves through life with us. A God who renews us when renewal is needed and wanted.
John was a man who engaged in the important work of creativity and renewal. John, or Papa, if you will, was a stonecutter by trade. He was an artist in his own right -- a sculptor of marble. Using his knowledge, years of experience, and artistic ability, John worked long hours over many years. As most artisans he had his own style, he marched to the beat of his own drummer. He was, as has been shared with me, a jack of all trades. John was a man who made his living cutting, grinding, and polishing marble.
Yet, his demeanor to people was compassionately soft. He always greeted his wife, with, "Good morning. How are you? Hope it doesn't rain today." John's gentle spirit with others was also reflected in his stonecutting. He would be so precise in his art, that the residue of his labors was fine powder versus chips or pieces.
I've read where some of the world's finest quality marble came from Nigerian marble mines. Mines that closed in the early 1900s. I'm sure if John were with us today, he would say, "We don't find marble like we used to." And I'm sure, you who knew and loved John would agree, that there just aren't stonecutters nor men like John today. John, or Papa, as he was called by his family, was himself like Nigerian marble. As a person he was a rare find.
The marble John worked with has changed over the years. People have changed over the years. Life has changed over the years. But most importantly for each and all of us today, is to know that the love God has for us and the comfort, strength, and hope God brings to our lives doesn't change. It is constant. It is dependable. It is certain. Just as John renewed and repaired items of marble for churches, museums, and antique shops, God can renew and repair your lives that have been disrupted and broken by sorrow, brought on by John's death. Our God is a God of renewal and restoration. Our God looks upon each of us. God looks upon each of you as your loved one, John, looked upon each piece or item of marble that needed his special attention, skill, and care for its repair, restoration, and renewal. You see, studying, cutting, grinding, polishing, and sculpting fine marble doesn't take place overnight. Neither does God's work in us. Working with fine marble properly takes time. So, too, God's healing in our lives takes time. A half day or longer is used in grinding marble. Another half day or more in polishing the marble. Then, one must begin the careful sculpting process.
Friends, we are like fine marble in the eyes of God. Like John, each of us is unique, different, and special. Like marble, some of us are stronger than others. God has created us individually in different colors, tints, and strengths. As we weather the storms of life. As we go through events and changes in life, like illnesses, difficulties, the death of loved ones, like marble, we need the maker God, to restore and renew us. That restoration. That care. That process of renewal, and healing from God will occur. The good news is this: Just as John, or Papa, was there to restore the marble he worked with, or to give thanks and love and gentleness to all he met and to you whom he loved, God is present to you now. Our faith proclaims that God will be with you in the days and weeks ahead, to help strengthen, uphold, and heal you regarding this loss. For John, there is a new heaven and new earth; a New Jerusalem for, as the lesson proclaims, "the dwelling of God is with all people. God will dwell with them."
For each of us, for each of you, there will be a new life. As the scripture assures us: God will be with you to wipe away every tear from your eyes and death shall be no more ... neither shall there be mourning nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:3-4).
I commend you to the special love and care of our God who grants us new life. Amen.
