A Message of Hope for the Grieving

"But we do not want you to be uniformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as other do who have no hope" (1 Thes. 4:13).

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul offers a message of hope for the grieving.  Paul explains that the source of hope and comfort for the believer is the death and resurrection in Christ.  He tells believers don't grieve like the hopeless.  Those who do not know Christ, and the power of his resurrection, have no hope of eternal life.  That is not to say that non-Christians don't have some kind of belief in the afterlife where they'll be rewarded.  It means that their notions of the afterlife are misguided and unfounded.  Apart from Jesus, they will die and face the wrath of God.

When facing death we must remember: Jesus didn't just die, but he was also raised to life again. Jesus, who died for our sins and rose from the grave, will bring us up from the dead when he returns.  The resurrection of Jesus was testified to by eye witnesses, most of whom died for their testimony.  The resurrection of Christ is a sure comfort.

Jesus promised to return again (see Mark 13:26-27).  Paul states, "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God" (1 Thes. 4:16a).  Those who are dead, in Christ, will be raised to life, and those believers who are still alive will be caught up to be with Christ and his people.  The pattern described by Paul is similar to wedding rituals in the 1st Century (see Matt. 25:1-13).  Also, there were occasions when conquers would send dignitaries ahead so the people would come out and great them.  Paul is describing an event where Christ calls for his people and they rush to meet him in the air.

We are called to encourage each other with the message of Christ's death and resurrection.  Yes, we should grieve with the grieving, but we must also encourage them to combat despair, depression, and doubt. 

Principles from the passage:

1.  Doctrine (Theology) matters.
2. Doctrine in practical.
3. The better we understand the Bible, the better we will be able to endure.
4. We should not grieve like the hopeless, but doesn't mean we don't grieve.
5. The resurrection of Christ guarantees that we will be raised to life.
6. Someday we will be reunited with Christ and other believers for ever.

Reflections on the Resurrection

I was going to title this post "I'll Fly Away," but decided against it, since most of you would assume I was headed for Guatemala. We wish we were headed for Guatemala, but God in his perfect wisdom has not yet open that door. We are more than confident that it will swing open soon, but we are a bit impatient. Lord, strengthen us. Now back to the post.

I was reading in John 11 this morning and the song "I'll Fly Away" popped into my head so I sat down and listened to the Jars of Clay version. The words, "Some bright morning, when this life is over, I'll Fly Away," capture so powerfully the anticipation we should have for the resurrection. The song speaks of the completion of our redemption; the day when our struggles with the flesh, the world and the devil will all be over. And what we shall be is not fully known, but we will be like Jesus (Phil 3:21; 1 John 3:2).

More than the reunion with loved ones who have gone on in the Lord, we should long for the resurrection. Because with our redemption complete (often called glorification) we will be able to stand in the glorious presence of our Gracious Creator-Redeemer, without shame, and be acknowledged as he people (1 John 2:28; Rev. 21:1-4).

John 11 provides a powerful picture of that day. We see Jesus standing at the tomb of Lazarus. He has already told Martha, "I Am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" (John 11:25, ESV). Jesus stands outside of the tomb and calls Lazarus to come out. And Lazarus, who had been dead four days, came out still wrapped in his grave clothes. This image reminds me of Jesus' words, "Truly, Truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live" (John 5:25, ESV). Lazarus' resuscitation foreshadows our resurrection.

We must live in light of the resurrection; seeing it as a real and imminent event. Paul warns, "Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" (Rom. 13:11-14, ESV).

And again Paul reminds us, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good" (Titus 2:11-14, NIV).

May the resurrection become more real and sweeter to you every day. I pray that we all continue to walk in obedience while we await his glorious return. We will not all sleep, but we will all be change ( 1 Cor 15;1 Thess 4:13-18). Even so Lord Jesus, come (Rev 22:20). Amen.