CHRISTIANS, GRIEF AND OUR LORD

Like everyone else in this world, even a Christian will experience pain and grief when our loved ones die. When death separates our loved ones from us, the pain of such a separation is sharp, deep and cannot be explained in words. This is the reality of life. This is how God created the human beings, and Christians are not exempted from the rest of the human beings.
– “32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept…38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb…” – John 11:32-35

Our LORD Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus very much. Even though the LORD knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead, He still groaned in His spirit and wept. This is a fine example of all human bondings, and how it pains, when our loved one dies. 
– “Jesus dignified the tears of others in the Bible who wept, and all who weep. · Abraham wept when he buried Sarah. · Jacob wept when he wrestled the Angel. · David and Jonathan wept together. · Hezekiah wept over his sickness. · Josiah wept over the sin of his nation. · Jeremiah was the weeping prophet.” – David Guzik

Our LORD Jesus was not only grieved by the death of Lazarus, but was also angry at death itself, which is the result of our sin, initiated and instigated by the evil one. The anger of God in display here, is a clear and unmistakable indication of our Creator’s heart, His love for us, and the purpose for which the LORD Jesus was born in flesh and blood, into this fallen world – John 1:14.
– “Coming to the scene of Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus intensely groaned in the spirit. In the ancient Greek, this phrase literally means, to snort like a horse – implying anger and indignation.” – David Guzik
– “The verb rendered ‘groaned’ is an unusual one. It signifies a loud inarticulate noise, and its proper use appears to be for the snorting of horses. When used of men it usually denotes anger.” – Leon Morris
– “…the sense of…“‘And troubled Himself.’ The phrase is remarkable: deliberately summoned up in Himself the feelings of indignation at the havoc wrought by the evil one, and of tenderness for the mourners.”* – G. H. Trench

Thanks and praise be to the LORD Jesus, for the story does not end with death, and the wicked display of the “power” of the evil one. Our LORD Jesus has won the victory on the Cross of Calvary, which forever defeated the power of sin and of death over us. HalleluYah!!!
– “55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

Last night a dear brother and a true friend of mine, Francis Michael, was called to his eternal home by his Redeemer, the LORD Jesus Christ. I will miss him very much, just as anyone who knows him. Francis Michael’s last words to me, a few days back are “My Brother” – an honour that I will cherish all the days of my life.

Death and the loss of a loved one is always painful. Yet, the hope available only in the LORD Jesus, helps, comforts and guides us even through the most painful circumstance, and the darkest of times. The LORD has defeated the enemy and the power of sin, and the death. We await the fruit of it in the times to come. Meanwhile the hope in the LORD Jesus guides us through our grief and our pain.
– “15 Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.” – Psalm 116:15
– “25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26
– “14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:14
– “16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
– “4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” – Revelation 21:4

One day we ourselves will be called to our Eternal Home by our LORD Jesus Christ. That day we will not only see our LORD and Saviour face to face, but will also see all our loved ones who slept in the LORD. This is the glorious hope available only in the LORD Jesus Christ of Nazareth. HalleluYah!!! As we wait, may the LORD Jesus help us through the pain of separation.