As we gather here today to put wreaths in the ground for mom, dad, Ollie and Jim, let us be persuaded that this plot of ground is not so much a grave as it is buried treasure.
When a ship sinks, like the Titanic did on her maiden voyage (coincidentally, this occurred on dad’s birthday), her contents take on an endless quality, no matter their original value or use. Whether it was John Jacob Astor’s riches aboard or the lower class person’s daily cookware, they all freeze in time. Death is the great equalizer.
Just like mom and dad or our other loved ones, we probably remember them before any illnesses, and in one specific time of their life. Death stops the time clock. This reminds me of when the Alfred Murrah Building was blown up in Oklahoma City, OK almost ten years ago. I recall seeing a clock which stopped at 9:01 or 9:02 a.m., whichever was the exact time of the bomb.
So below us we have treasure; treasure in our hearts and treasure in heaven. The Bible, in Matthew 6 speaks about “lay up for yourself treasure in heaven, where moth and rust doth not corrupt.” The true treasure is a soul redeemed, paid for by the blood of Christ. We are not just honoring memory, for they are actually alive, just like when the disciples saw the resurrected Christ.
But today we honor the place where we last saw them – albeit they were incased in a casket. The word “casket”, by the way, means a “chest”. I like to think of the casket as a hope chest, like when a bride has a dowry and puts all of her valuables in it. Mom, dad, and all who will be a part of the Bride of Christ and will experience the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, are in this precious chest and are considered eternal treasure.
There’s a verse in the hymn “O Word of God Incarnate” that says: “The church from her dear Master received the gift divine. And still that light that lifteth o’er all the earth to shine. It is the golden casket, where gems of truth are stored. It is the heav’n -drawn picture of Christ, the living Word.”
We thank the Lord today for this buried treasure.