Where we go, Jesus goes right there with us.

Early Thursday morning, our dear brother in the faith Jerry went home to heaven after suffering some strokes on Saturday. We pray for the Lord's comfort in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection for Jerry's wife Joan, daughter and son-in-law Mark and Mary, and the whole family.

When Jerry took his final breath on this earth, he was surrounded by loving family members. That's a phrase that is often used in obituaries. I would like to add to that. He was also surrounded by Jesus who, through His Spirit, was truly there as that Good Shepherd leading him through the valley of the shadow of death to the House of the Lord and the place prepared for him.

But it's not only during death but through every moment of every day that our Lord would be with us. This weekend, we'll hear these wondrous words of comfort the Holy Spirit inspired St. Paul to write: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38–39) What a difference when we live in joyful thanksgiving each day, knowing that where we go, Jesus goes right there with us, not because He has to, but because He wants to in love.

The question is: Do I wish to go with Jesus every moment of every day? After all, a healthy relationship is a two-way thing. Both participants must be fully committed to each other, seeing each other as a precious treasure that is worth everything, including sacrificing all for the sake of the person.

Of course, that's what Jesus did for us. But the greatest wonder is this: Jesus is God, and as God, the grave did not hold Him. And so, we have much more than memories of a Loved One, but a living, loving Savior who constantly invites us to love Him, to follow Him, and to live with Him now and forever. -- Pastor Schmidt