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These days, we all are saying "Goodbye" to 2023. Perhaps, on occasion, you have used these ways of saying "Goodbye":
Adios (Spanish)
Au Revoir (French)
Arrivederci (Italian)
Auf Wiedersehen (German)
No matter how you say it, some have said that parting is such sweet sorrow. Too often, we might say it is more sorrow than sweet. This is especially true when we say "Goodbye" to a loved one who has finished their journey here on earth. Jesus was born to make it forever possible to say "Goodbye" to ever having to say "Goodbye" again. Regarding Jesus' birth and ministry, the writer to the Hebrews tells us, "He too shared in our humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -- that is the devil -- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death" (Hebrews 2:14,15).
For much of our lives, and especially for those of us whom God has granted extra years of life to gain wisdom, we realize that this life is truly short. It is finite. It is so very temporary. In this way, 2023 was no different than 2022 and all the previous years.
It often happens that the media will review the year gone by with the recounting of those lives of famous people that have left this world. This might include popular musicians, famous actors, well-known politicians, or professional athletes.
Saint Paul reminds us of this undeniable truth: "What I mean brothers, it that the time is short. ... Those who use the things of this world (should) live as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away" (1 Corinthians 7:29-31).
Amid this tragic and unavoidable demise, God comes to his people with real words of comfort and reassurance.
Jesus is the real and historic proof of God's undying love and concern for all people. In Jesus, we learn and realize that our existence is not just about some brief time here on earth.
Saint John records for us the summation of Jesus' purpose in leaving heaven and serving our eternal needs here on earth.
Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live" (John 5:24,25).
Ultimately, because of Jesus' rising from the grave, we know with absolute certainty that we too will rise, never to die again.
"For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality" (1 Corinthians 15:53).
In the year 2024, God's Spirit alone will help us to stay the course that leads to our eternity with Jesus.
By his Word and Sacraments, Jesus will give us that right mindset and perspective in this short life. Then we will know for sure that we can and will say "Goodbye" to ever having to say "Goodbye" again.
Your Servant in Christ,
Pastor Lon Kuether
Crown of Life Lutheran Church, Marietta