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
More:
Check out the connection between grief and love seen in King David’s life (2 Samuel 18:33).
Next:
How has God’s love helped you in the loss of someone you loved? What is your future hope, even as you feel the pangs of grief?
lynl0 on September 20, 2011 at 4:12 am
Bad choice in using Harry Potter as an example to be compared with Jesus’ grief for Lazarus. I can’t understand that as a Christian you have read the book and watched the movie. I certainly hope it was out of curiosity (you watched the movie) and it is not something you stand behind. I prayerfully hope you see the error behind your comparison.
val428 on September 20, 2011 at 7:05 am
I agree that it’s a disturbing comparison between characters in a pop-fiction novel and the miracle performed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you lyn10 for your discernment.
debs58 on September 20, 2011 at 8:38 am
I disagree that it’s a disturbing comparison. I’ve never read Harry Potter books or watched the movies, only because it’s not my thing, but it’s just entertainment. I think as a Christian, we know the difference. I see these as two different “examples” and not “comparisons”. Personally, I liked the examples. My brother just passed away four months ago after a year long illness that left him totally incapacitated. His strong faith through the whole ordeal was what gave me the desire to grow closer to Jesus. My brother was not perfect, just a human who loved God and relied on him. I’ve grieved much, but have been comforted knowing he still lives and I will see him again someday. As a Christian, I know it’s because of Jesus and not Harry Potter.
loananna on September 20, 2011 at 9:29 am
You know Debs58 I too have lost brothers whom I loved dearly. I think the author today gave a modern comparison that permeates all ages. It’s just a comparison of the extent of grief one can go thru when someone they loved dearly dies. We have to learn not to be so legalistic. I’m glad your brother died knowing the Lord, lean on his understanding to help you. May God Bless you.
bygodsgracealone on September 20, 2011 at 8:45 am
I think it was fine to use this specific example from Harry Potter although I too have never read the books or seen the movies. I have many friends and family who do not know the Lord but have stood on line for the latest Harry Potter books or movies. By sharing this link, God may have some of these dear ones exposed to the Scripture in this article because of their interest in Harry Potter. None of God’s Word will return to Him void! I pray God will use the Bible verses here to have people look further into the Scriptures.
Jeff Olson on September 20, 2011 at 11:58 am
Debs58…sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. I’m sure you must deeply miss him. I have prayed that you will continue to know God’s comfort and peace.
Appreciate the discussion…As for using an illustration from Harry Potter, bear in mind that Jesus not only used common every day examples to grab a person’s attention and to illustrate greater truths, but he also used current events and figures as well. For instance, Jesus used a Samaritan (a pagan who didn’t worship God) as a hero in the story to illustrate loving our neighbor as we love ourselves (Luke 10:25-37). The Apostle Paul quoted pagan philosophers to illustrate greater truths (Acts 17:22-34, I Corinthians 15:33). Jude referred to not only one non-canonical book from the Apocrypha, but two books (The Assumptions of Moses and The Book of Enoch) to illustrate his points (Jude 8, 14-16).
I understand that I may be using examples that to some may seem disputable, and I affirm a person’s decision not read certain fictional books or films like Harry Potter, but there are those of us who personally see value and believe we have the freedom to use current examples that are in the public awareness to introduce and illustrate truth.
lynl0 on September 20, 2011 at 5:36 pm
I believe that we as Christians should be careful what we allow ourselves to watch and hear because the moment we let our guard down the devil will not hesitate to attack our spirit.
We need to prayerfully ask for God’s Spirit of discernment.
I am sorry you may be offended and feel Judged Jeff. It was not my intention. I was just very disturbed when I read your post this morning.
After giving my life to Christ three years ago I stopped watching the Harry Potter movies and such ( I was a big fan ) because I didn’t feel right watching it anymore not because someone told me not to watch it. It would have been wrong of me not to say anything on the subject.
sisterprayer on September 25, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee
Micah 5
And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no [more] soothsayers:
Leviticus 20:27
A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood [shall be] upon them.
2 Kings 21:6
And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke [him] to anger.
Galatians 5:20-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Revelation 22:14-15
Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
rncinca on September 20, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Reading these responses brought to mind Corinthians 9:19-23 which includes “I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some”. Striving to be not of this world does not mean to me that we exclude those that are clearly only in the world-rather by using examples that can be related to, we have the best chance of reaching them! The pastor of the church I attend nearly always includes some sort of anecdotal /contemporary example to aid in illustrating the message. By doing so, she helps all of us apply the wisdom of the Word to our daily lives. Thanks Jeff for your message today!
imadonna on September 20, 2011 at 12:48 pm
1 Corinthians 8:9-13 “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.” This passage not only speaks of meat, but of any freedoms we think we have that might be a stumbling block to others. Be careful, that what we think we can do with a clear conscience doesn’t cause a brother or sister to fall. Because if they were convinced that it was “okay” to watch a particular kind of movie, because it was okay for another Christian, it could damage their spirit, and their relationship with the Lord. It is our responsibility to look out for and protect our weaker brother. And in that sense, I must be the weaker brother, because I cannot watch those movies. I am a teacher, and the children in my class have wanted me to read the Harry Potter books, and I have refused, because of the content, and the spirit of the books.
kayjay on September 20, 2011 at 1:12 pm
I agree with you Imadonna,
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
Matthew 7:13.
Jeff Olson on September 20, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Imadonna, no one should be putting pressure on you to read or watch or do something that you don’t feel in your heart is right…it may be a “weaker brother” issue…that’s okay…You shouldn’t feel judged or somehow less because of it.
all4jesus on September 20, 2011 at 3:58 pm
I wonder if all the people who disliked Harry Potter watched Lord of the Rings,Chronicles of Narnia, or even Pirates of the Caribbean? All very popular movies with magic as their premise. God does not condemn a man for his imagination he is condemned for refusing Christ as his Savior.
I personally have seen and read the books for the above mentioned movies and find Lord of the Rings much darker and more packed with evil than the others…and yet the Christian community rallies around it and declares it good because the author claimed to be a Christian.
I think reaching a new generation with what they can relate to is a fantastic and most wonderful idea… Like so many who read The Chronicles of Narnia back in the day when it was considered to much magic for the Christian community!
Irene_Ukraine on September 22, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Pirates of the Caribbean have very strong Christian analogies, too 🙂
cricket41 on September 28, 2011 at 9:42 am
Jesus socialized and ate with the SINNERS. Is that bad? So if your brother or sister was in a bar or somewhere in danger of sinning do we not go to them and try to help (with God with us) or do we say I can’t go because it’s full of sinners? Jesus used examples to get our attention. If Jesus is highest priority in our hearts and minds than no matter where we go or what we read will destroy what we belive, the bottom line is to get sinners to wake up, and I believe Jesus uses good and bad , he knows how to get someone’s attention, and He also knows what’s in each one of our hearts He who is without sin let him cast the first stone. There may be many sinners that need Christ reading harry potter and maybe it’s the message example used here today to get their attention? I have been around prisoners and have cussed (i do not cuss) but at times we need to get sinners attention. We need to be real, and we are only human, I hope I have not offened anyone with my beliefs. With God nothing is impossible.