By: Dr. Jeff Fuller
For the saint of God, death is a celebration.
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him…Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, 18 KJV)
Yes, it is sad to lose a loved one. Yes, it reaps our hearts, causes us pain and sorrow. Yes, there is the empty place at the table. But, in heaven there is a celebration like none here on earth for that one who knows Christ as Savior.
Jeff and Sherri Easter wrote a song several years ago that speaks to this truth:
“Born in 1900 she has her share of hard times
And at the age of 15 she met the love of her life
And how she adored Him, loved Him to her dying day
So we celebrate when we put her in the grave
We threw a going away party
The event of the year
The day that she lived for
Is finally here
The one that she loved
Wants her by His side
So strike the band
It’s party time
For many a year she served her community well
And on occasion she stumbled
But it’s saying that God never fails
She was in love with Jesus
He always stayed on her mind
And now they’re together
Having one Heavenly time”
We have all endured our fair share of funerals over the last several months. Though different than in times before, it has been the same format. We go through the morning process beginning at the pronouncement that life this side of eternity has ended. We attend visitation, a service, the graveside. We spend time with family and friends. It is a sad, solemn moment. Death has come and taken yet another one of our loved ones.
There are endless, unanswered questions.
There are tears shed in the privacy of our own rooms.
There is an emptiness seeming never to be filled.
There is confusion, despair, disappoint, and depression.
All come from our limited view of life, this side of eternity. Yet, on the other side, a celebration is taking place. A party is being attended to with joy and happiness. A banquet table is prepared and waiting with a host of family and friends who have gone before. For the one who died here-with all of the finality of that moment-is more alive there than ever before.
Holidays seem to compound the sorrow. These celebrations come and go, year after year, and if our loved one left during those times, it is quite troubling to those left behind.
But remember, we have hope! As believers we trust in a God who cannot and will not fail us. He has a place prepared for our loved ones which cannot compare to anything in this life. For us who are left behind we need to stay focused on the promise of the Word of God (the ver words of Jesus Christ:
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also…Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:1-3, 10-14 KJV)
Until next time…