Toward the end of every funeral message I’m privileged to share, I attempt to use a story or an analogy about the loved one who has passed to point everyone to the hope of the Gospel. I call it, “The Last Page.”
What follows [edited and revised] is based on my funeral sermon given at the celebration of life service for Ms. Jeannine Aun which was held on August 23, 2026.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
But how do we do it? How do we love like Jesus? Many ways, but here’s just one. Loving like Jesus is …
Loving People sacrificially & unconditionally.
Jeannine illustrated this portion of loving like Jesus like few people I have ever known.
Fifteen members of her family shared with me, thank you all so much. What great stories. What great memories. What a great sister. And there were a few themes that arose as I read through their comments, however, the most dominant by far was that Jeannine loved sacrificially and unconditionally.
Now, they may have suggested she could be fiercely stubborn, but they overwhelmingly celebrated that she was fiercely loving. A tireless helper (so dedicated that she once fell asleep riding her bike to the store to get something for her mom); a caretaker who routinely gave up her own bed for guests, filled envelopes with cash to help people (even strangers) pay rent, get food, get clothing. Even while battling cancer her generous spirit never wavered; she brought joy, laughter, and a fierce, protective love to every life she touched, being sure to wrap the disenfranchised – the “tossed and lost” [her brother Andy’s phrase] – in her unwavering embrace. I even learned that if you weren’t a hugger, she would make you one (haha).
Jeannine’s favorite song, which is about to be played for us, is Get Happy by Judy Garland from the musical Summer Stock. I read the lyrics yesterday and was blown away becuase this is the voice of someone loving like Jesus loved by witnessing compassionately and courageously to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus! Just amazing! Check it out:
Forget your troubles [we all have them], come on get happy You better chase all you cares away Shout “Hallelujah” [praise You Yah; praise the Lord], come on get happy Get ready for the judgement day [a day that is to come for all]
The sun is shining, come on get happy The Lord is waiting to take your hand [He loves you and invites you into a personal relationship with Him] Shout “Hallelujah”, come on get happy We’re going to the promised land [yes! the best is yet to come for those who know and love Jesus!]
We’re heading across the river Wash your sins away in the tide [pointing us to the gifts or repentance and baptism] It’s all so peaceful [yes! so beautiful] on the other side.
Such a power-packed song! It points to the love of God for us in His Son. A love that meets us in our troubles and invites us to take His hand. A love that’s not a noun, but a verb. A love that’s proactive.
Jeannine didn’t wait for people to earn her care; she simply offered it and many chose to receive it. She was proactive.
And aren’t we so very glad Jesus was as well!
He was fiercely stubborn in the very best of ways! Nothing could stop Him from fiercely loving in ways that could never be duplicated! He was the epitome of a tireless helper, meeting the physical needs of people so that they might be open to Him meeting their spiritual needs. The “tossed and lost” – her brother Andy’s phrase – were at the top of His list. And I’m so glad they still are, because I am – you are – the “tossed and the lost.” We’ve all been tossed around by this world, taken our lumps, and left in need of finding a love and a care this world can’t give. Jesus may not have battled cancer, but suffering the greatest agony of all – dying on the cross for my sins and your sins and Jeannine’s sins – His love never wavered! Jesus did what had to be done to offer us the gift of His healing and His love so that our love could be won!
I pray, that if you haven’t, that right now you will choose to receive His love for you.
Because, even if you’re not a hugger, His loving embrace is one you just cannot afford to miss!
jodyflowers843.org 