By: Dr. Jeff Fuller
As we look back over the last twelve months, we see many who have left us for their eternal reward. These individuals have died due to COVID, cancer, accidents and various sicknesses. Some have been taken from us very quickly, others have lingered in pain for a time. To say this has been a difficult loss for us in an understatement.
When we loss someone to death, it is a difficult thing that turns our world upside down.
Losing a loved one who followed Jesus is never easy. Trying to grieve their death while hearing people tell you that you should not be sad because they are in heaven is painful. We know that but in the moment of the separation it just seems we do not want to hear those words because what we desire is to have that family member still with us. They may be in a better place but we have to deal with the hurt that they are not here.
How can we have a reason of hope when the tragedy leads us to believe all hope is lost?
The people of Thessalonica were wandering why many Christians were dying and what would happen to them when Jesus returns. Therefore, the apostle Paul shares words of comfort with them:
“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (HCSB)
Paul wrote to encourage them that death is not the end of the story. He also wrote to challenge them to comfort one another when loved ones die.
As Christians, the separation from a loved one at their death is only temporary because only in Jesus is there life after death. When Jesus returns all believers, dead and alive, will be reunited never to suffer death again.
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (HCSB)
Death may cause us grief, but it cannot break our unity with Jesus or with other Christians. We all face tragedies in our lives that cause us to grieve the loss of loved ones, but God will turn our tragedies into triumphs.
“You turned my lament into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, so that I can sing to You and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise You forever.” Psalm 30:11-12 (HCSB)
Jesus welcomes our sadness and our grief and its through grieving that we can push through and continue to believe that the best is yet to come.
Until next time…