A tribute, to Ralph Guenther, my grandfather.

This is what I read for my grampa's funeral.

Tribute to Ralph Guenther

Who was Ralph Guenther to me, he was grampa. He was a man whom in my mind never looked back. Rather, he looked forward to what had not yet come to pass. He worked hard for a solid financial state, taught his children morals of honour and Godly ways of living, and he desired that his grandchildren that would walk in the ways of Jesus Christ. Grampa was a man who may not have lived a perfect life, but nor have any of us. Though, through all that he did, his aim was for righteousness. “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss of the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.” (Phil. 3:7-11). Grampa knew what this life entailed. He knew that it would have its challenges and trials but he also knew what it would take to live through them as he lived in the kingdom of God. As Matthew writes in his gospel, Jesus asks his disciples, “‘Have you understood all these things?’ They said to him, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”” (Matt.13:51-52). Those who study God’s word, as we know full well that grampa did, train in the kingdom of heaven by living according to how the treasures of both the old covenant and the new covenant have instruct us to live. As for the old covenant, remember Jesus’ words as he says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, nor a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” (Matt. 5:17-18). Jesus says this as he presents the new covenant not only by the words that he speaks here in the sermon on the mount but through his life as well. The entire gospel of Matthew presents this overall theme of eternal life both future and present through the key word of righteousness. We are not saved by acclamation and verbal acceptance of Christ. Rather, it is by how we live the remaining days of our lives in response to God’s glory by the goodness that he gave us through death on a cross. “And from his fullness we have received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:16-17). John here echoes what is written in the Old Testament scriptures, “And God said, ‘I will make all my good ness pass before you and will proclaim before you m name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” (Exodus 33:19). It was not hard to see grampa live every aspect of his life in light of God’s goodness that God revealed to him. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” (Phil. 1:21-24). Grampa has died and left. He has gain far greater than he ever could have received here on earth. During the time that he was here on earth, his presence was necessary on the account of those he lived with and came in contact with. He now lives in the presence of the All Mighty. How do I now carry on his name? First I need to ask, ‘What named did he bear?’ I know for a fact by the way he lived his life that the name he bore was Christian. In Greek, Christian literally means “little Christ”. Therefore, as grampa took upon the yoke of Christ, so too shall I carry the same yoke. The name of Ralph Guenther will fade away like the flower. “As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” (Ps. 103:15-19). Thus, to me at least, for this entire procession not to end up in vain, I am to carry on the name of Christ, not just by what I acclaim with my lips but how I step within the footprints of Jesus with my life. For only then will I find true comfort and peace. “For thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an over flowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounce upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted Jerusalem. You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; you bones shall flourish like the grass; and the hand of the Lord shall be known to his servants, and he shall show his indignation against his enemies.” (Isa. 66:12-14).

Mark Guenther