Current Events Monday: Grieving as Those Who Have Hope
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13, NASB).
The turning of the page to a new calendar year brought with it some rather sobering and significant news. A number of beloved and well-known people in our society passed away, and we had to reflect once again on our own mortality. Consider those who have died in the last few days and weeks: Betty White, John Madden, Harry Reid, Bob Dole, and Stephen Sondheim. Closer to home, I have a friend who is mourning the death of a mentor who was just shy of his 50th birthday. The new year has not been so happy and celebratory for them.
We are blessed and fortunate to have succinct and honest guidance from the biblical writers regarding mortality and mourning. While we cannot escape physical death, we are promised eternal life by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul especially capitalized on this idea in 1 Thessalonians 4. It seems that some in the Thessalonian congregation were burdened by heartache because the first generation of believers in their church were passing at a seemingly alarming rate. Paul understood that we naturally and rightly mourn, yet he admonished them (and us!) to mourn with a sense of hope. Why? Because Jesus died and rose again! Because of Jesus’ conquering over death, those who believe in him are securely kept by Christ for all eternity. Paul even tells us that Christ will “bring with him those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thessalonians 4:14). Therefore, whether in life or death, believers are eternally and utterly secure in Christ. We shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
How then does this good news help us to mourn with hope? Here are a few biblically based applications.
- The Bible teaches us that mourning is completely normal. Some believers have been culturally influenced to think that we should neglect experiences of grief and try to “tough it out.” We simply do not see this kind of thing in the Scripture. Jesus himself wept bitterly over the death of his great friend Lazarus. Experiencing the pain of loss is not something to push to the side or keep hidden. In fact, if grief is stuffed inside, then it will eventually come out of us through negative actions and words. It is perfectly normal to mourn, yet our focus in mourning should be on the living Christ and our hope in him for eternal life.
- The Bible is clear that life for the soul goes on after physical death. Both the Old and New Testament authors key in on a time known as “The Day of the Lord” when Jesus Christ will return, culminate his plans for the Kingdom of God, and hold us all to account for how we responded to him in this earthly life. Our Lord very clearly talked about the Day of the Lord in Matthew 25 and Mark 13. These teachings are meant to evoke sober consideration of our mortality and our faith. Have we surrendered to Jesus Christ by faith? If so, the Day of the Lord will bring eternal joy the likes of which we can’t imagine in the present hour.
- Love and reconcile with people while you have time. Jesus taught us to “work while it is still day” (John 9:4). In other words, time is limited both for us and for our known concept of time. God will one day fold the tent of earth for good and consummate the next phase of eternity. Will you be ready? Part of our preparation for his imminent return is to do the work that Jesus calls us to do.