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funerals because it captures so perfectly the light and shade in the lives
of all of us, but still speaks of eternal hope.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, began his sermon with the
words, ‘The pattern for many leaders is to be exalted in life and forgotten
after death. The pattern for all who serve God – famous or obscure,
respected or ignored – is that death is the door to glory.’

He referred to the reading from John 14, saying: ‘Jesus – who in our
reading does not tell his disciples how to follow, but who to follow – said:
“I am the way, the truth and the life”. Her Late Majesty’s example was not
set through her position or her ambition, but through whom she followed.’
He also referred to Jesus' words in Matthew 20.28 when he said, ‘Her
service to so many people in this nation, the Commonwealth and the
world, had its foundation in her following Christ – God himself – who said
that he “came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ran-
som for many.”’

The congregation – and many gathered in churches and public spaces
throughout the land – joined in the words of the Lord's Prayer (Matthew
6.9–13).

The final anthem was ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?’,
from Romans 8.35 and 38 – a rhetorical question to which the answer is
‘nothing’.

These wonderful texts from the Bible – and the Prayer Book blessings
and prayers that are themselves soaked in Scripture – were broadcast
around the world. It's estimated that somewhere between 4 and 5 billion
people watched it. Queen Elizabeth II influenced millions of people during
her long life. But perhaps it was after her death that she spoke most
clearly and powerfully of her Christian faith, and enabled the gospel
message to be preached around the world.

Author: Mark Woods, 20 September 2022

Thanks to Anne and John for forwarding this article from the Bible Society

Copy Date
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