Funeral of Dawn Hawkins
Text: Luke 2:25-38
Dear family and friends of Dawn, grace, mercy, and peace be to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Some of you may wonder, “Who is Anna the prophetess?” After all, her name is mentioned only once in all of Scripture. It comes immediately after the infant Jesus is presented in the temple, and Simeon sings the familiar hymn, Nunc Dimittis, you know, “Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your Word has been fulfilled.”
However, in a way, Anna is in the shadows of Simeon. But, with only a couple of verses mentioned, we learn a great deal about her. She was a pious woman who did not depart the temple. Her life was centered and anchored in being where Israel came into the presence of God. While she dwelled in this place of God’s presence, she spent her time worshipping her Lord night and day in anticipation of the redemption of Israel. She looked with an expectation of the newborn king’s arrival.
This is true of Dawn as well; as her days grew shorter, she was anchored in God’s Word and was looking forward to the arrival of her Savior – to bring her into His eternal presence.
And this is why Simeon and Anna were great examples for Dawn and teachers for us. Both Simeon and Anna had been waiting and longing for the Lord, a waiting for the Savior that embraced both hope and comfort.
But patience and waiting are not what most of us are known for, not in this lifetime. Yet, as Dawn was a teacher, she had to master the art of patience as she was entrusted with children's education. Teachers have to have some of the deepest wells of patience, don’t they? The repeating of instructions to students over and over again. The answer to the question parents also receive all too often, “But why?” The challenges of helping students navigate emotions and family issues they brought to school.
In many ways, God used these experiences for Dawn to prepare her for her last days on earth.
Why would Dawn require patience in her last days? Because her body would not move as it once did. Her mind was not as quick or sharp as it once was. Her relationships with family were not as they once were.
We can relate.
So, what gave Dawn and what will give you the patience needed for this life? The same Jesus whose appearance causes Simeon to break forth in song and Anna to give thanks endlessly because Israel’s redemption, their Savior, had arrived in the flesh of the baby boy born to Mary.
This redemption was also granted to Dawn in the waters of Holy Baptism. A redemption that was given every time she confessed her sin. A redemption that was placed upon her lips as she received the Lord’s Supper, even in her final days of life, and joined Simeon and the Church in singing, Nunc Dimittis, “Lord, now you let your servant go in peace, your Word has been fulfilled.”
Isn’t this such a joyful confidence?
One of the last things Dawn ever did on this earth was to receive her Savior’s flesh and blood for the redemption and forgiveness of her sin. Jesus came and visited her in this final time of distress, granting her the patience she needed for the last days.
And in thanksgiving, she sang with Simeon, Anna, the angels, archangels, and the whole company of heaven; she sang praises to Her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, declaring she was ready to be gathered into His eternal courts.
It doesn’t get much better than this. And yet, it doesn’t take away your sadness and grief, but as the apostle Paul reminds you, “We do not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe in Christ Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”
This is the same hope that must accompany us to the grave of Dawn. For just as the body of Christ only laid in the grave three days, we know Jesus, our Redeemer, lives. And just as the body of Christ was raised on that first Easter morning, we look forward to the great resurrection when Christ returns, and the body of Dawn and all who are in Christ are raised in glory.
So, look to Simeon, Anna, and Dawn – learn from them to wait patiently on the Lord. Receive God’s Word into your ears and take into your hands the flesh and blood of your Savior, Jesus Christ. For in this way, you are not only granted the patience needed for the trials of this life; you are made ready to join the song of heaven, confessing your readiness by singing, “Lord, now you let your servant go in peace, your Word has been fulfilled.”
His Word has been fulfilled, and Dawn has received eternal peace. +INJ+
