Grieving with Hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

Today’s scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13

It was a sunny June day.

In the cemetery, two graveside services were being held, both for young mothers.

At the first, the young widower sat, looking lost and alone. His three-year-old daughter sat next to him, and she cried as she tried to get her daddy’s attention and wondered where mommy was. The faces of those surrounding the casket were blank with grief. The older couple, clearly the young mother’s parents, clung to each other, hopelessness in their eyes.

At the second, the young widower sat, tears in his eyes, yet mixed with an unmistakable brightness. His three-year-old son sat next to him, and he looked up at his daddy and asked, “Where’s mommy?” “She’s in heaven with Jesus.” The little boy smiled as he remembered Mommy telling him how much Jesus loved him. The older couple, clearly the young mother’s parents, smiled through their tears. Yes, that little boy’s mommy was in heaven with Jesus.

Two funerals. One without hope; the other with the hope that comes from knowing that someone dearly loved was with Jesus.

We are to grieve our losses, but the Bible makes it clear that we who know Jesus can have hope that our loved ones who have departed this earth before us are with Him.

And we can have hope that, one day, we will be with Him too. 

Have you lost someone you loved? Have hope that they’re with Jesus. And If you have someone you love who doesn’t know Jesus, tell her about Him, so that, one day, you’ll be able to grieve with hope.

A Drink Offering ... (Philippians 2:17-18)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 2:17-18

Sometimes, the Holy Spirit clearly illuminates scriptures. And other times? Not so much.

I’ve read today’s verses many times, and I’ve never been quite sure exactly what Paul meant by “being poured out as a drink offering.” So I’m very grateful for commentaries by those much wiser than I. (A wonderful site for on-line commentaries: www.studylight.org.)

One commentary (New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible) interprets these words as Paul’s anticipating his eventual death, which would be like wine or oil poured over a sacrifice. Because he was the church at Philippi’s spiritual father, he was certain his death—likely martyrdom—would be as an offering to God on their behalf. And he rejoiced to be such an offering and wanted his spiritual siblings to rejoice as well.

Wow. Could I even begin to say these words? I get the rejoicing together part. I love rejoicing with my spiritual family. However, while I’m willing to give up my own life (I really do believe “to live is Christ and to die is gain”), could I rejoice in the sacrificial death of a beloved brother or sister in Christ?

That would be difficult. Paul was able to do it. He rejoiced at the expectation of his own death for the cause of Christ, and he expected the same rejoicing from his fellow believers.

I usually try to end my blogs with an encouraging words … today, though, I think I’ll just leave you to muse over Paul’s words …