It was the day between Good Friday and Easter. Winter had receded from the frozen landscape, so I ventured into the newly blossoming world. Hidden among the underbrush of our backyard, I discovered a small grave, complete with makeshift cross and crude headstone. On the gravesite, “H-O-L-L-Y” was spelled out in broken sticks and twigs. It was the name of my son Seth’s pet rabbit. My eyes misted over as I pondered the curse of death and how it pervades even the most innocent aspects of our lives.
Just then, I saw my son Kofi crouching next to a plant alive with fresh yellow blooms. I walked over to him. “What’s this?” he asked. “It’s a forsythia,” I explained. “Your mom planted it here 3 years ago when we lost our baby.”
Suddenly, I had trouble speaking. Kofi looked pensive. “It was just about this time of year,” I continued, “and the forsythia were in bloom. The flowers remind us of Jesus’ resurrection and the promise of our own resurrection because of His death for us.” Kofi smiled. He was only 7, but I believe he understood.
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith. “If Christ has not been raised,” wrote the apostle Paul, “then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). But that isn’t Paul’s conclusion. “In fact, Christ has been raised from the dead,” he declares (1 Corinthians 15:20). Then he makes this triumphant statement: “Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
In this life, we deal with death—the death of pets, the death of dreams, the death of our closest friends and family members. But in the sullen face of death, Jesus’ resurrection provides a hope that even a 7-year-old can understand. Death is not the final word.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Kings 2:13-25
More:
Read 1 Corinthians 15:21-23 to learn the origins of death. What does it mean to “belong to Adam”? (vv.22,45- 50). To belong to Christ? (vv.51-53).
Next:
How do you remember someone you love? How do you grieve in healthy ways? How has Jesus brought you genuine hope?
Sonny on April 24, 2011 at 12:24 pm
I am one who daily is thankful for the “Resurrection of our Saviour-Jesus Christ.” Your post was awe inspiring to those of us who have benefited from the “risen Christ experience.” We need not just celebrate this only on “Resurrection Sunday,” but everyday should be a joyful reminder of what He went through for us all! Amen.
Off the subject a little bit. I have a question for those out there that might give me some insight as what to say to an unbeliever or believer’s family member, or close friend of an unbeliever who has died! Some say they will be reunited with their other family members in heaven, others say they are with God now and don’t have to suffer anymore. It has been hard for me while attending a wake/funeral of a family member or friend that has pasted on, but was not a believer in Christ Jesus. I’ve heard eulogies given for family and friends that have stated they are now reunited with God, or walking with Him in heaven, but are we guilty before God for stating something that is not “true in His word!” Or are we afraid of what others might think of us, if we state something different? What say you?
Have an awesome “Resurrection Sunday.” May you all be extremely blessed is my prayer.
tim gustafson on April 24, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Sonny, you ask a supremely important question. I have struggled with this very question. On the one hand are people who seem almost glad to talk about the condemnation of others. And then there are those who seem to diminish this life altogether in favor of saying that everyone will be with the Lord in the end.
I take much comfort in the fact that the thief on the cross simply said to Jesus, “Remember me when You come into your kingdom.” It was not the kind of life the thief lived, but the the object of his faith at the very end of his life. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth. Today you will be with me in paradise.”
So personally, I do not extend false hope to those who are in mourning for close friends or relatives who have died. But neither do I close the door on hope. As Abraham said to God, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” I can take a lost of comfort in THAT.
tim gustafson on April 24, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Sonny, I’m usually not one to reference myself, but click on this link to see what I wrote when I lost my best friend from high school.
http://www.ourdailyjourney.org/2010/07/12/maybe/
mizroby on April 24, 2011 at 2:35 pm
During funerals the days before and after them, I find myself different than some others. I do not mourn in the same way. I think of death as a celebration as Jesus says it is. You don’t see that at very many funerals, it is all sad mourning and never knowing what to say or what to do. I took care of a woman until she passed away. She believed in God and I don’t think that she feared death. Some how it ended up being me who set up all the details of the funeral. We had memories of her written in the pamplet, we had all her acheivements written down. But at the grave site, I had balloons and red roses. It was set up that the preacher would say one sentence of Our Father at a time. When he did, one person walked up and laid their rose and then let go of their balloon, then the next did the same until the end of the prayer. A rose for she was loved and a balloon to release to the heavens. i received so many complements on it from start to finish and as I looked around, there were more smiles than there was tears. If only it would work like that every single time, but it does not. I bring what I can to help the mourning for they are still here, but I look forward to being home with my Father.