Funeral Homily Christopher Phillips

February 28 marks the beginning of my seventeenth year at St. Andrews. I started on Ash Wednesday, a day when we tell every Christian "you will die" and call them to a season of repentance. Sadly, a wonderful young man was hit while walking across the street at Overton Square. Somehow the driver decided to drive off, leaving Christopher to die in the streets. Please pray for the police to find the perpetrator. Pray for the police who deal with this sort of thing on a regular basis. Pray for the family and friends who suffered this terrible loss.

Christopher Phillips' Funeral

I want to share a story about Jesus from an eye witness. John 11 tells a story about the death of Lazarus. Jesus loved Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. It was a personal loss for Jesus.

When Jesus arrived, both Martha and Mary told Him (v 21, 32), “if you had been here he would not have died.” Later on the folks gathered around say the same (v37). They knew Jesus had power to heal.

Humans often wonder why God doesn’t "do something" to prevent bad things. We say to God, “If you had been here this would not have happened.” Sometimes it is an angry accusation… Other times, a heartbroken expression of faith… I am sure many of us found ourselves thinking, “If you had been there Jesus, wouldn’t Christopher still be here? Wouldn't it have been easy to hold him back for a few seconds?"

When Jesus arrived at the tomb, He is not happy. The Greek word, embrimaomai, literally means to snort with anger. Jesus was really angry. We also read that He was deeply troubled (tarasso). Jesus was in turmoil. In fact, later on Jesus wept.

Jesus’ response to death is deep sadness and anger. Do those feelings resonate with us here at Christopher's service? Jesus was very upset. Sound familiar? Anyone else feeling the same thing? God made us for life, death is of the Enemy! Jesus is mad at death, so He does something with this very human mixture of emotions. Jesus turns to His Father in prayer.

Then Jesus tells them to open the tomb, which horrifies everyone. Sometimes I hear people talk about the ancient world like the people were simpletons. Let us be clear. The folks in the ancient world were very familiar with death, especially tragic death. They were also clear that dead people stayed dead. No one expected anything more for Lazarus in this world. So they tell Jesus, “There will be a stench!” They were fully aware of the decay already at work.

Jesus also understood the power of death, but Jesus believed the Father’s love was more powerful. God does not control every detail of life or death. That is why He comes to save. If He was already controlling everything there would be no need for a Redeemer. Good News: God’s healing love can rescue us from anything, even death. Jesus thanked His Father for that salvation life and love. Jesus said to the corpse of Lazarus, “Rise, Come out!” Lazarus did. The people were shocked. Then we learn that the enemies of Jesus, the ones who had him handed over to be crucified, also determined to kills Lazarus. We do not know if they did.  

The name Christopher means “to carry the Messiah” or “Christ bearer.” Literally, we are all called to be a ‘christopher.’ Christopher carried much that he had learned from Jesus' teaching in his childhood. We have heard many stories about how wonderful he was.

Last week Christopher went to the Overton Square to meet a friend. I noticed many times people said this, and always in the singular. In the early church one paid attention to such details of language. Last week Christopher went to meet a friend and he unexpectedly met his Truest and Best Friend--the Lord Jesus. I know that Christopher was not a religious person. In a real sense that doesn't matter because I also know that Jesus loved him anyway. Jesus does not love us because we are religious, or good. Jesus loves us because God is love, and Jesus is God Incarnate... Now Christopher knows it too. I believe Jesus offered Christopher life, but I do not know how that conversation played out. I do not know what Christopher’s response is. Like each of us, he continues to have freedom to submit to the Lord Jesus or walk away. We pray for Christopher to make the best decision. I have heard how sweet and smart he was, so I assume he chose well.

I know that the love of Jesus is stronger than sin, stronger than death, stronger than sadness or pain. I know Jesus is our companion. Jesus suffered greatly and died at about the same age as Christopher was. If I did not believe that Jesus is the Divine Lord who saves us, then it would be cruel to stand her telling you, his mourning friends and family, that there is hope in Jesus. I have buried many dear friends and some of my closest family, so I tell you the message that sustained me through those losses. Resurrection life is God's answer to death. In John 11, Jesus says again and again, “Your brother will rise again,” but Jesus also says, “I am the resurrection and I am the Life.” Such a statement is very bold. Jesus is more than a teacher, He claims that He is life. So, Jesus is our hope. We are loved more than we can imagine. The redemptive love and power of God in Jesus is available to us right now. The Holy Spirit is here ready to begin transforming us right now. We are invited to trust, to love and to open to receive the Lord, right now.