“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Gal. 2:20 )
Can you imagine the words spoken at Paul’s funeral?
I thought of that these last two weeks as I took part in one funeral and attended another. Similar words were spoken at both as friends and relatives described the life of two faithful children of God. “They showed us Jesus by the life they lived.They loved God’s word. They loved the church. They did so many good things for others. They were straightforward and truthful in a loving and gentle way.”
As I listened to the description of the life of Sheri Humphrey’s mother, I thought how much the description sounded like the words spoken just a week before at the funeral of my friend and former elder, Ed Pesnell. And how much both of them sounded like the words spoken about any and all faithful children of God.
I wonder if someone at Paul’s funeral read Galatians 2:20? I wonder if they talked of it as Paul writing his own epitaph?
I’m sure Paul would not have been comfortable with the idea of writing his own epitaph, even though it most certainly described his life. The words were not written so people could have something good to say about Paul. Paul would say the focus of the words is on Jesus, just as the focus of his life was on Jesus.
Paul, in his faithfulness to Jesus, was blessed by Jesus. As a result he also became a blessing to all who knew him. It is the way of all who are faithful in Christ Jesus. Blessed and a blessing.