To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain

Report of the funeral of Rev. M. Heerschap

“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting” (Ecclesiastes 7:2). This was experienced by those who had gathered in Lethbridge on December 9, 1993, for the funeral of Rev. M. Heerschap. The Lord had given him much grace; He also gave glory.

The church was virtually filled when Rev. A. M. den Boer opened the service by addressing the family and the congregation. He mentioned that it was the second time this year that we were together, for early in January Mrs. Heerschap was buried; now another empty place has come with the loss of Rev. Heerschap. Two times we have seen how the Lord has taken away the fear of death, and that is possible only because of what Christ has done. He wished the Lord’s comfort and a sanctifying of the callings, so that in the place of the fathers the sons may come, and that in the place of the mothers daughters in Zion may be born.

He admonished the congregation that they had heard from their former minister that there is only one way to be saved, and that is by free and sovereign grace. Much fruit has been given upon Rev. Heerschap’s labors in all congregations where he labored, but the hope was expressed that his words would still be blessed after his death.

Rev. den Boer then read Philippians 1:12-26 and asked a blessing of the Lord.

The apostle might give the testimony that he was for God’s account: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (verse 21). The apostle speaks about death and life. In Paradise there was only life, but man has forsaken the Lord and thus death came into the world. By nature we say, “The world is my life.” We are bound to it; it seems to give us everything. So it was for Rev. Heerschap, but by grace renewal came. He had so little knowledge of the truth, but God stopped him. Such a moment must also come in our life, so that we cannot go any further. It must become, “Have mercy on me, a sinner.” Then we can no longer help ourselves. Then we are not worthy that the Lord looks down upon us; but on the other hand, then we cannot miss the Lord anymore. Then comes that sorrow after God. There is sorrow in the world, and the world gives its own kind of comfort. But this is totally different, for when the Lord comes in our heart, we become poor and needy.

“For me to live is Christ.”

The apostle said, “My life is Christ.” This means that the Lord had spoken to him, and that a renewal had come in his life. How had he come to that knowledge of Christ? First the Lord revealed Himself on the road to Damascus. But that was not all, for it is written, “It pleased God to reveal His Son in me.” He received instruction from Ananias, and that was applied to his soul. In this way he came to the knowledge of Jesus Christ for his personal life.

Paul uses the official name of the Mediator. “For me to live is Christ.” He was living for Christ. His highest goal was to glorify Christ on this earth. How has he done this? By his preaching. “I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” Congregation, you have been under the preaching of a servant of God for so many years, and Christ was the center. Paul preached about the suffering of Christ. The love of Christ constrained him to labor by day and by night. He glorified Christ also in his desire to depart and to be with Christ, for that is by far the best in our life.

We have seen this also in the life of our brother. It has become true for him. He has received the desire of his heart. Now, after death, it is perfect. “To die is gain.” How is this possible? Is not death the last enemy? Rev. Heerschap has said so many times, “Do not underestimate that last enemy.” But how can it then be gain for us? Here on earth we are confronted with death time and again. How then could the apostle say, “To die is gain”?

It was because he had learned to die here in time. He had learned mortification, for that self-righteous man became a wicked man in his own eyes. Room was made for Christ. Paul was led to Golgotha, where Christ died and death was defeated. When Christ cried out, “It is finished,” then death fell dead at His feet. The justice of God was completely satisfied, and thus death became gain, also for the apostle.

The Lord made Rev. Heerschap loose from everything and he received his desire. He was not indifferent about what he would leave behind: his children, grandchildren, the congregations, the empty pulpit. But while feeling the need on the one side, yet he knew that to die is gain, to be delivered from all the enemies, and to be with the Lord. It is our hope, family and congregation, that you may taste something of what the Lord has prepared for His Church and that you may receive that holy desire to go in the footsteps of your parents and minister, so that they may testify, “Behold, we and the children whom Thou hast given us.”

After the singing of Psalter 247: 1-3, Rev. H. Hofman spoke on behalf of the Classis Far West. He extended his sympathy to the bereaved family and said he would not even try to comfort them. It cannot be expressed in words what it means to bid a last farewell to a dear father. What is so dear must be entrusted to the bosom of the earth. It is the fulfillment of Scripture: “Dust thou art and to dust shalt thou return.”

But the Lord had granted a treasure in the earthen vessel of your father. The earthen vessel is broken, but not the treasure; and that is the comfort. May that be the still, quiet rest in your heart. The earthen vessel is broken, but the treasure has escaped all that is here on this earth. There was a place prepared for your father, who was bought with the precious price of the blood of Jesus Christ.

Your father had a great place in the Classis and in the whole denomination. From many pulpits the name of the Lord was called upon, especially this last Sunday, for strength and comfort in these circumstances. May the God of all grace remember you in mercy. May God grant you to look on two sides. In a few moments you will be called upon to look into the earth; that will be a separation which can never be undone. May the Lord grant you not only to look into the grave, but may it live in your heart: Thy will be done; we have received so much in our father; now we give him into the hands of the almighty, gracious God. I hope, family, that you may be given to look above the grave, as we read in 2 Corinthians 4, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Your father has now entered into God’s glory, and that will never change. He is forever with Him, to see the beauty of his King, of whom he has spoken all the years of his ministry. He is sitting at the marriage feast of the Lamb to glorify his God, his Savior and Redeemer, forever and ever.

“Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word.”

What a bright future for all God’s children, because of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, who has bought them with the precious price of His blood. Now you are sowing the body of your father. But on that great day of the harvest, the body will be united with the soul, and with body and soul he will glorify God for ever and ever. Dear family’ may God remember you and comfort you. May there be a holy jealousy, for the God of your father is still alive.

Congregation, it is appointed unto man once to die. We cannot do it over. We all have to die but once. Are you prepared? You have heard of your former pastor that he was prepared. He was waiting; it was peace. Can you say, “I am waiting for my last breath”? May God grant all of us that this serious call may be sanctified for our never-dying soul.

Next Rev. A. W. Verhoef, former minister of the congregation, spoke some words in Dutch. Looking back upon many deathbeds, he could hardly recall that any had been looking forward to depart as Rev. Heerschap had, especially during the last few weeks. Rev. Heerschap had testified that he was the least among the brethren, and how in his younger years he did not seek God. None of us do that by nature. But that changed. There was something in his life, especially the last while, of what the old Simeon experienced: “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.” The words of Psalm 119 are clearly shown:

Thou, Lord, hast dealt well with
Thy servant,
Thy promise is faithful and just.

There was a longing to be with his Savior. Christ was his life, and his dying was gain. May the message arouse young and old to jealousy, for we all go to eternity, and then there is but One who can help us. Young people especially, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.”

Family, remember one thing; Mother is above. On the 6th of June, 1973, I was privileged to install your father with the words: “For the LORD giveth wisdom.” The Lord fulfilled this in rich measure. Now on the 6th of December he passed away and also went to heaven. “And blessed be His glorious Name to all eternity.”

In conclusion of the church service, Elder A. H. Verhoef spoke on behalf of the consistory and congregation. After speaking a few words to the family, he mentioned to the congregation that there had been a prophet in our midst. Will that testify against us? The people of God also know that there has been a prophet in our midst, for the Lord worked among us. It is a comfort that the God of the covenant does not forsake the works of His hands.

Afterwards Rev. A. M. den Boer closed with prayer, and Psalter 421:6 was sung. The elders then carried the casket from the hall of the church to the hearse, and later to the final earthly resting place. A large multitude followed to the cemetery and gathered around the open grave.

Rev. den Boer recalled the burial of Mrs. Heerschap and then spoke about Matthew 25:21, “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” The Lord Jesus speaks in this parable about His second coming, and that time is drawing close. Then also this grave will be opened. The servant in the text received praise, even though our own works are defiled. But the Lord sees His children and servants, not in what they are in themselves, but He sees them in His beloved Son. The text speaks of the glory prepared for the church by the active and passive obedience of Christ. There is such a good future prepared for God’s church.

Young and old, can it be said of us, that we are obedient? The people of the Lord have much strife and many enemies, but they are for God’s account. They may hear, “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

At the prior request of Rev. Heerschap, Mr. H. van Essen, Sr., a former elder, spoke a few words in Dutch. We have heard many things this morning, many sounds. Now we also have visible sounds. What is that? The opened grave testifies that the Word of the Lord is true and that the devil is a liar. Man, in his turning away from the Lord, has brought death upon himself.

Seeing then that the one is born to bury the other, is it then all in vain? No, for the Lord revealed that His plan was to gather a church. He revealed the way by which this could be done, namely, in the finished work of the King of the church. Man has fallen away from God and does not seek after God, but now the message comes: God seeks the sinner. It comes from God. This happened with this man. God sought that sinner. After relating some instances how God glorified grace in Rev. Heerschap, he said that in the exercises of grace the church learns that it all comes from God. God not only arrested the minister, but also sent him forth to labor, putting the trumpet to his mouth. His work was not fruitless. We cannot come into what he may now experience, but we may believe that his language of praise is, “Through Him, though Him alone, whose presence goes before us.” We have heard his testimony in the congregation; may it yet be blessed, and may the empty place be filled.

A son, Elder M. Heerschap from Norwich, spoke on behalf of the family. Mentioning the solemn and final moment, he said that there is one hope: to become, by grace, a beggar at the throne of grace, there to see what we have become by sin, but also that there is still a way to be washed and cleansed in His blood. Our father has always pointed us to the place where we could receive help; may God give us that place at His footstool. He thanked the ministers, consistory, and congregation, especially Mr. and Mrs. W. van Waardhuizen, who had taken care of the minister the last year, and also others who had been helpful in these days.

Then Psalter 420:2 was sung in Dutch, and under the wide prairie sky the old words of the psalmist resounded around the open grave:

But let the righteous, blessed of yore,
Joy in their God as ne’er before,
Faith’s victory achieving.

After Rev. den Boer had read Isaiah 40:6-8, the solemn moment arrived that the coffin was lowered into the sanctified grave, to rest there until the last day.

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