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I stand here in the pulpit ready to preach Jason's funeral sermon with a feeling deep down in the pit of my stomach that anything which I say must seem very trivial. Having presided at over 200 funeral services, my experience tells me that there is no loss so striking, so numbing, so tragic, so full of grief, as the loss of a child. I say that not to minimize the sense of loss for those who have seen spouse or parent or friend suffer and die; certainly any loss is tragic for those who are left behind.

But the loss of a child seems to have its own special kind of tragedy. Our minds want to race ahead to all of the things that this lifeless child will not be able to do, to experience: those first words, first step, first birthday party, first day of school, and the list goes on.
There is one day in my life that is etched indelibly upon my mind. It was a day several years ago, when I assisted at a funeral service for four children, ages four to twelve, who were killed in a house fire. I will never forget that funeral home with those four caskets lined up against the wall.

Yes, the death of a child has its own kind of tragedy. Our children are supposed to bury us, as their elderly parents. Our children are supposed to outlive us. Our children are to carry on our family name, our family traditions, our family memories. Yes, there is a special kind of tragedy in the death of any child.

And while my words may seem insignificant, I submit to you that there is someone whose words have great meaning and compassion this day, the day that we are gathered for the funeral of young Jason Reilly. And those words are the text which I read earlier - Jesus' words, telling (in fact, rebuking) his disciples for not allowing the infants and children to come to him, They obviously felt that Jesus was too busy, too important to be bothered with children. But no, Jesus says, "Let them come to me, for of such is the kingdom of God."

What Jesus is saying is that children also are important in the eyes of God, that children are people too. God is concerned about each and every one of us whether we live to be ninety or whether we live for only three days. God loves and cares for each and every one of us, whether we are young or old. Jesus Christ suffered, died and arose again for us whether we are young or old. God has prepared his heavenly kingdom for us, through Christ our Lord whether we are young or old. Age does not matter; what does matter is God's great and gracious love. For God so loved Jason Reilly that he gave his only Son, that Jason Reilly might have the gift of eternal life.

And I know that these last three days have been extremely difficult for you, Bill and Anne. As soon as Jason was born you were aware of his very serious condition, but like most parents in that situation you prayed for a miracle, and so did we. But no miracle came. And unfortunately we find ourselves face to face with the reality that we live in a broken, fractured, sinful world. It is a world that is not fair, a world where good people suffer, a world where pain and loss are all too often present.

Rod Brownfield, in an article titled, "Sin, Suffering and Service," puts it like this: "Sin has its own power. Sin triggers a chain reaction of evil. Sin contaminates everything and everyone it touches. Sin creates suffering, and the innocent as well as the guilty suffer its evil effects. Even nature' suffers. Sin always leaves behind a damaging residue - lingering pain and suffering, shattered lives and scarred spirits."

Dr. Brownfield's words speak to us. It was no one's fault that Jason was born with a defective heart. Because of our imperfect world even something as normal and natural as procreation is all too often adversely affected. But we are also reminded that the innocent suffer and our lives are filled with pain and sorrow and grief. We all can identify with that today.

And I realize that at times like these people do not know what to say, and unfortunately we sometimes say the wrong thing. "God must have wanted him more than you." I doubt that you could convince Bill and Anne of that. Or: "At least you have two other children to raise." But that does not help the grief we are feeling at the loss of Jason. Or: "I know we cannot understand this, but it must be God's will." No, this is not God's will. God does not will suffering and sorrow and death. God wills the abundant life.

The truth is, God mourns with us. God knows our sense of loss, our sense of sorrow, our sense of grief. God knows that there are times in our lives when the burdens that we must bear are almost unbearable. This is why he invites us to bring our burdens and our cares and our needs to him. It is not that he will make our problems magically disappear, but he does promise to walk with us, giving to us his grace, his peace, his comfort, his assurance that ultimately the victory is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Yes, wouldn't it be great if we could live in a world with no pain, no sickness, no sorrow, no death? But unfortunately that will not happen this side of heaven. And some, through no fault of their own, due to the general result of sin, must bear an enormous burden. And today, you, Bill and Anne, are feeling that enormous burden. I invite you to share that burden with the Lord, and I know that you will, for you have known and experienced his love and grace many times in your
life. Let that peace of God uphold you now as always. Lean upon him. Let him show you that when we need God the most he is there - ready, willing and able to help.

My words are inadequate, but I remind you that God has spoken through his Son, a Son whom he was willing to sacrifice upon the Cross. God knows what it means to lose a loved one, and he will comfort you in your time of loss, your time of grief.

Certainly we are sad and sorrowful, and we share your sorrow. No, we cannot really know what you are feeling, but we do offer to you our Christian love and care and fellowship. The communion of saints, the body of believers reaches out to you to be with you, to stand with you, to pray for you, to cry with you, that we may together express our hope in a risen savior. At Jason's emergency baptism we together expressed our belief in "the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sin and the resurrection to life everlasting."

Death for a child of God is not the end of our existence, and this is not the end for Jason. We know that there is prepared a home for Jason and all of God's true followers. We know that some day we will be together with Jason, with the Lord, with all of God's people.

"Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." Jason is a part of God's kingdom and we place him in God's gracious care. And we ask God's special outpouring of his grace, his love, his comfort and his peace to you his family and all of us, that we may be strengthened in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Jason is Jesus' loving child. Jason is a part of the kingdom of God. Thanks be to God.