In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the second to last movie in the epic series, Dobby, a house-elf whom Harry once helped free from his cruel masters, is killed as he comes to the rescue of Harry and his companions. Dobby’s death leaves Harry stunned and speechless. Only his friend Luna is able to put into words the deep loss Harry and the others felt: “Thank you so much, Dobby. . . . It’s so unfair that you had to die, when you were so good and brave.”

Heartbroken, Harry digs Dobby’s grave. Grief consumes his soul to such a degree that it keeps Voldemort (the evil villain figure) from intruding into his thoughts. (In the book version, the author makes it clear that it was Harry’s “love” for Dobby that occupied his heart and mind.)

Those who watched Jesus weep at the tomb of His dear friend Lazarus also witnessed a connection between grief and love. After Jesus arrived at the place where Lazarus was buried, He “wept” (John 11:35). He was deeply grieved even though He knew He would raise His close friend from the dead just a few minutes later (John 11:43-44). The people watching Jesus in the throes of grief said to each other, “See how much He loved him!” (John 11:36).

In the throes of our own loss, grief is an expression of the love we have for another person. To put it another way, only those who first love can ever truly grieve. This is a bittersweet truth that we sometimes forget.

Thankfully, as believers in Jesus, we don’t grieve like people who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). In light of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we do grieve, but with the hope of one day being reunited with those we loved so dearly (1 Thessalonians 4:14).

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 14:26-52