The day before Easter, my family attended two memorial services. One was for a man at our church who was younger than me and left behind a wife and two young children. The second was for a man who I had served with at another church for several years. At first glance, it seemed strange to have these services on the day before the biggest celebration of the year for Christians. Yet the more I thought about it, the more perfect it seemed, because the resurrection is the reason for our hope even in death.
Before I continue, I was to clarify the definition of hope. The world's definition of hope is wishful uncertainty. But the Christian Biblical definition of hope is a certain and joyful expectation. It is something that we know will happen, and we look forward to with anticipation.
The resurrection is the reason for our hope for multiple reasons. First we know that death is not the end. "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14) 'Fallen asleep' is the Biblical euphemism for death. We still grieve, we still mourn, but our grief is different from the world's, because we have hope. We know that when Jesus returns, those who have passed on before will come with Him. Death is not the end, and it is not an eternal separation.
Secondly, we know where they are right now. "Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8) Death is a separation of the spirit from the body. When believers are taken from their body, they are immediately in the presence of the Lord. How awesome! Both of these men are in the presence of God! We miss them, absolutely, but we have peace knowing that they are home.
Finally, we know that Jesus's resurrection defeated death once and for all. "“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) Without Christ's resurrection, we are to be pitied, as Paul says, because everything we believe is worthless. If Jesus was just a man who died and is still in the tomb, then Christianity is nothing. But He didn't! He's alive! His resurrection defeated death and gives us victory, because we now have eternal life with Him.
Feeling the pain of death so close to Easter helped me to appreciate the hope we have because of His resurrection. This is temporary. Joy and life are ours forever.
“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
Photo by Aaron Burden: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-daisy-flower-bloom-2449543/
