By Matthew F. Leighty
Executive Director

November is often a time filled with reflection and remembrance. It is particularly significant as we observe All Saints' Day, a time to honor and remember all the saints, known and unknown, who have gone before us in the faith.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (ESV) reads, “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. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” This essential scripture reading reassures us that death is not the end for believers.

Over the years, I have attended many funerals and visited with those who have lost loved ones. A frequent comment is how unimaginable it must be for those who do not believe, and what a profound comfort it is to have the assurance of salvation and the peace of the resurrection through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

These moments of grief, great sorrow at the loss of our loved one who we will miss, are such natural and healthy parts of our lives.

Jesus shares a comforting message in Matthew 5:4 (ESV): “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Yet, can someone reject the comfort that comes from the Lord? I have a dear loved one who, through suffering and loss, has hardened their heart toward God. Questions can sometimes become all consuming. Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? Why did He take my loved one from me so early? This often happens when despair festers in our hearts or when we place those loved ones and the grief we carry above our relationship with Christ Jesus, our Lord. It is in these moments that we must look to Christ and His power to overcome our deepest sorrows.

Consider the farmer in spring, planting seeds in the ground. To a young child, it might seem like the seeds are lost, buried in the soil, never to be seen again. However, the farmer knows this is not the end. With time, care, and the right conditions, those seeds will sprout and grow into beautiful crops. The farmer has hope and faith in the process of growth and renewal.

Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 shows us that death is not the end for believers. Just as the farmer trusts in the transformation of seeds into crops, Christians believe in the resurrection and eternal life through Jesus Christ. This belief provides comfort and hope, even in times of grief.

In the August 2023 Broadcaster magazine, I explored C.S. Lewis’ “A Grief Observed,” a compassionate book focusing on the mourning and loss Lewis experienced at the passing of his wife. Through raw and honest reflections, Lewis delves into his sorrow, questioning his faith and grappling with the pain of loss, ultimately finding a path to healing in the arms of our redeeming Savior.

A book that gave me encouragement when my father had terminal cancer and eventually passed away was “Handbook of Consolations” by Johann Gerhard. Written in the 17th century, this timeless work offers spiritual comfort through keen theological insights and transformative scripture references, providing solace and strength to those near death’s door.

Gerhard shares: “The Apostle Paul says that Christ was made ‘the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep’ (1 Corinthians 15:20, ESV). Accordingly, by God’s arrangement, the offering of the first fruits followed the harvest. Similarly, the harvest of the universal resurrection follows the first fruits of the Lord’s resurrection. Christ is our head and what goes before in the head will follow in the members.” We look forward to when we will be gathered into glory with Christ and all believers.

Both books can be wonderful sources of encouragement for those who are grieving and for those who care for them, offering profound insights and compassionate guidance through the journey of loss.

The most important thing in this life, especially when it comes to grief, is to know the love of Christ and to keep him first and at the center of our lives. This love assures us that we will spend eternity with our loved ones and, best of all, with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This eternal perspective provides the ultimate comfort and hope, transcending the pain of our earthly losses.

As we navigate this difficult journey of grief, I encourage you to explore the resources we offer at Worship Anew. Whether you are personally grieving or supporting someone who is, our ministry supplies the encouragement we find in God’s Word, which provides the ultimate comfort and hope in the promises of Christ Jesus our Lord.

“My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”
LSB 575

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
No merit of my own I claim
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In ev’ry high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain]

His oath, His covenant and blood
Support me in the raging flood;
When ev’ry earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain]

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Redeemed to stand before His throne! [Refrain]