Hope for Those Experiencing a Loss 

Over this past week I have been involved in a couple of funerals – presiding over one and preparing for another. For some pastors with larger congregations, that might be a typical week or even less busy than usual. However, in my case as a pastor of a small church it is definitely more unusual. And these weren’t just any deaths that occurred. They weren’t individuals I hardly knew or a distant relative of a church member. These were beloved friends with whom I had enjoyed a longtime relationship. Additionally, their passing was somewhat sudden and unexpected.

As we deal with loss, grief, and death, our faith in the Lord is always a great help to us. But the message of comfort and hope comes through even clearer as we observe what we have come to refer to as Holy Week. I don’t know that there is ever a good time to face the passing away of a friend or loved one. However, this week leading up to Easter is full of reminders of why we as followers of Jesus can view the end of life differently than others do. We may still understandably experience a great measure of sadness, but at the same time we can possess a heartfelt joy.

First of all, there is the cross and the significance of Jesus’ death. Jesus died for a reason. He willingly gave His life in order to provide a way for lost sinners to find forgiveness and cleansing. He sacrificed Himself so that instead of perishing, we could enjoy eternal life. He died on that cross so that we could live in intimate fellowship with God both now and forever. So His death that we commemorated this past week gives us the assurance that if our loved ones who have passed away had put their trust in Jesus as their Savior, they are okay. Actually, they are more than okay – they are with the Lord and in a much better situation than those of us who have been left behind to continue on in this life for now. We can have peace in our hearts knowing that when believers leave this life, they are going to be with the Lord.

Secondly, the resurrection of Jesus confirms those truths. It is one thing to claim that Jesus is the Son of God. We can say that He was more than a man, that His death was meaningful, and that it paved the way for His followers to get to heaven. However, we have hard evidence to back it up. The empty tomb. Jesus’ resurrection showed that He was who He claimed to be. It revealed that He had won the victory over the grave and death. It not only affirmed the fact that Jesus was alive, but that we would continue to live and be resurrected one day too.

Easter isn’t just about the historical event of Jesus being raised from the dead. It also speaks to our futures and the status of those whose deaths we grieve. They may be gone from us but they are still alive, just as Jesus is. They may be absent from the body but they are present with the Lord. Bodies may be lowered into a grave, but one day when Jesus returns, those bodies will be changed and resurrected. We will have glorious, spiritual bodies similar to His own. Jesus is alive and reigning as Lord over all. And one day we will go to reign with Him forever and ever.

We all experience the loss of loved ones at times. Whether it is during this season or some other time of the year, let the truths of Jesus’ death and resurrection give you comfort, hope, and even joy on those occasions. He is risen!