How Do We Grieve as Believers?
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SCRIPTURE:
13 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” I Thessalonians 4:13, ESV
OBSERVATION:
The context of this verse is setting up another thread of thought for the Apostle Paul concerning the return of Christ. To support his declaration in verse 13, Paul is grounding our hope in the following truths:
1) First, in verse 14, because of our faith in Jesus Christ who died and rose again at some point in human history he will bring those who have died or using his language “fallen asleep” back again. This inference is to the future resurrection that is promised to every follower of Christ. Using the language of “fallen asleep” is to qualify that their death is not permanent but rather they are in a state that they have simply gone to sleep but will be awaken for a new day. It is obvious from the tenor of the text that the Thessalonians have been grieving due to the loss of some loved ones in their faith community. Paul is having to remind these believers that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the grounding truth for the Parousia of Christ which is His return. 2) Second, in verses 15-17, there will be a miraculous breaking into human history of Jesus Christ returning with all the saints that have gone before us to return and get those who remain. This reunion will be for eternity with no more departures. Paul is declaring how visible this event will be because some of the believers at Thessalonica thought that they have already missed the return of Christ. There is not secret return of Christ it will be dramatically visible. What the Apostle is presenting for us to embrace is that the resurrection and the return of Christ is our Blessed Hope as the Bride of Christ. For those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ we only go asleep and then we will rise to be with Him. 3) Third, in verse 18, we are to encourage one another with this truth in order that we fan the flames of our Hope in Jesus Christ.
The logical order of this text is that we do not grieve as those who have no Hope because we know that in Christ and because of what Christ has done for us has given us eternal life. We are separated this side of eternity while they sleep (they are absent from this body but in presence of the Lord), and at some point we will be reunited for eternity.
APPLICATION:
I am struck from the text that we are not told to not grieve but rather we do not grieve as those who have no hope. For me it is as simple as this: “Am I Going to believe the gospel that I preach and teach, or will I allow my grief to cloud the hope that I have been given?” Grief is real and we need to grieve well. Paul is addressing that when we lose sight of what Jesus Christ has done for us do not allow our grief to derail us from our hope. I have had to reflect on this verse that much of my grief is for me because I miss both my dad’s, Al Soto my biological father and John Mathis my father by virtue of God’s providence in my life. Thinking about one of my elders from San Jose, Eileen Giacalone who served the Lord faithfully, and Jerry Anderson who was my wingman. They are not here with me but one of these days we will be reunited for all time and when that happens all the enemies that attempt to assault our frail human bodies like cancer will exist no more because they are defeated foes due to the death and resurrection of Christ. Henri Nouwen once said that the longer we journey through this life the louder the echo of heaven is in our ears. That echo is HOPE! Here is what I am feeling as I write this: “I have tears in my eyes and I am grieving and, in my heart, there is a spark that says, “I will be with you again because of what Jesus has done!” Living in this tension fuels my hope and does not allow my emotions to rule over my disposition. Right now, I am whispering to myself … one of these days … We will be together again … I am hearing Heavens Echo in my Ears!
PRAYER:
“Heavenly Father, my heart aches with the goodbyes of people that I love who have graduated to be with you. I pray that I stay grounded in the truth that what you did in your dying on the Cross and then being raised from the grave points to the truth that death is defeated and we will at some time be with you and all of those we love who placed their faith in you who have gone on forever. Please use me to encourage myself and others with this truth who are grieving so that I along with my brothers and sisters can be built up in HOPE! I hear the echo of Heaven in. my ears and heart. Thank you for this Jesus I pray in Your name, Amen!”