Grief and love are forever intertwined.
Grief is good
Grief is good because it highlights the unnatural state of death. Unnatural? Yes, in the beginning there was no death. This was shattered when sin entered the world and death through that sin (Genesis chapter 3).
As a result, death continued through Adam until today. Death was not the original plan. When we grieve, we acknowledge that it should not be like this. Our cries are good as they show the unnatural situation and point to the hope offered of victory over death.
Grief points to good
Right from the start of the Bible we see the promise made by God to send a Rescuer to undo death. This “Seed of woman” is prophesized to crush Satan’s head (Genesis chapter 3 verse 15) providing a fatal final blow.
One of the earliest books of the Bible, the Book of Job, proves that God’s people knew that grief pointed to Jesus. A grieving Job explains, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes (Job chapter 19 verses 25 to 27).
In this ancient text we see the clear concept of the bodily resurrection after death based on the Redeemer’s work. Our loss today points to a good Jesus.
Grieving is good
Many stoic Christians push through grief thinking it is un-Christian to mourn or be sad. Yet Jesus wept over the death of His friend Lazarus (John chapter 11).
And Jesus gave clear instructions that it is ok to grieve. In John chapter 16 Jesus explains sadness is good after death. However, it must not be a sadness that forgets about the eternal hope secured in Jesus. Jesus’ own resurrection is the hope Christians need to turn that sadness into a future joy.
Grieving is individual
We are all different and all grieve differently. We cannot expect others to mourn loss the same way we do because everyone journeys through it differently.
An example is Jesus himself who reacts very differently when speaking with two sisters at the death of their brother. For one, Jesus simply weeps with her. Yet with the other, he enters into a deep theological discussion about the resurrection. Jesus’ wisdom met each sister at the place they were at (John chapter 11).
Grief is limited, victory is forever
When Jesus won victory over sin and death it is described as the ultimate victory. The final enemy has been defeated. And while we see physical death among us, and this brings deep sadness, this is only limited. Jesus’ resurrection shows grief is limited because He has won the ultimate victory. Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 outlines this ancient teaching fulfilled in Jesus.
Death is certain. Yet the Christian story says that death has lost its sting. When we face death, either our own or loved ones around us, we are to know it is okay to grieve but this grief will be turned into joy because of what Jesus has done on the cross. This is the encouragement that the Bible shares with us and we can share with others when they face loss and search for a meaning among the pain.
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash