November 6, 2024

Born Again at a Funeral

By Crossworld

Ireland Story Church Evangelism Salvation-baptism

IRELAND — Mona walked into the church for her friend Vera’s funeral and sat down in the pew as the service began.

After a few songs and words honoring Vera’s life, Crossworld worker Mark rose to speak. He had been invited to give the funeral message by Vera’s son, who attends Mark’s church.

“Vera passed away at age 90,” Mark said. “She had lived 90 years on this earth, but she was only truly alive for the last three. You see, Vera had been born again at the age of 87, three years ago, when she trusted in Jesus Christ as her Savior.”

Mark opened his Bible to John 3 and spoke about Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. He explained what it means to be born again according to the Scriptures, and how Vera gained assurance of her salvation before she died.

Mona glanced around. She didn’t know that part of Vera’s story, and she definitely hadn’t ever heard anyone talk about being born again.

Mark has met many people like Vera and Mona who have never heard the true gospel, even if they’ve grown up in church. Though churches abound, the gospel is often absent from the teaching. Time and again after sharing the good news, Mark has heard the same refrain: “I’ve never heard this.”

So when he was invited to preach Vera’s funeral, he wanted to make God’s offer of salvation by faith crystal clear.

“Remember the thief on the cross?” Mark spoke to the crowd. “That morning, he was condemned to died with no hope of eternal life. But on the cross, he trusted in Jesus and was born again in that very moment. He didn’t have a chance to be baptized or do good works, yet Jesus affirmed his salvation because of his faith.”

Mona was now listening intently.

“That same hope is offered to everyone,” Mark said. “Vera received it before she died, and you can receive it too.”

Mona knew right then that she wanted Jesus’ salvation. Without getting up from her seat or waiting until she got home, she trusted in Jesus and asked him to save her. In that moment, Mona was born again.

“That was the first time I’ve heard about salvation through faith alone and not by works,” she told her family later. “But now I believe!”

The people in this story are real, but some names have been changed to protect their privacy.