This life will have unavoidable pain, sorrow and grief. In light of this universal truth, it is an interesting philosophical, ethical, moral, and existential matter to contemplate whether bringing a child into the world is “right, just, or good” in light of the relevant balance of happiness and heartache. Nevertheless, there is a reality that can tip the scales towards a conclusion that it is right, just, and good. The transcendent hope of the universe that provides true comfort despite the hardships of life in our world is found in Jesus’ resurrection and return. These comforting words are found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and are intended to be shared. So, I would like to share them with you, and we can share them with many.
The Hope of The Resurrection
In the midst of exhortations to rejoice always (1Th. 5:16-18), Paul affirmed that believers also grieve and sorrow (1Th. 4:13). Jesus’ followers are not insulated from the universal experience of pain, suffering, loss, grief, and sorrow. Jesus’ followers have a hope that provides comfort for the grieving that unbelievers do not have (4:13), but that doesn’t eliminate the reality of pain or despair.
Most of us have attended a funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life where someone made the comment regarding the departed, “They’re in a better place …” The great deception is that you do not need Jesus to get to heaven, or that there is no heaven. According to Pew Research (Dec. 2023), 71% of American adults believe in heaven. Is there some reasonable basis for why they believe the departed is in a better place? God does not want people to be ignorant or uninformed about what happens upon the death of a body.
What makes the hope of heaven different for a follower of Jesus is the truth that Jesus died and rose again (14). The gospel message, that you can be restored in your relationship with God through faith in Christ, rests on the reality of Jesus’ resurrection (1Cor. 15). The evidence of Christ’s resurrection is beyond a reasonable doubt. His followers can have confidence that they too will be resurrected. Whether we have passed from this earth before His return or whether we are alive when He comes, his followers have nothing to fear. Jesus will return with us or for us, and bring believers who passed before His return (14).
I do not fear death. Some methods of dying appear more attractive than others, but death itself does not worry me. When I leave this earth, I know that I will be in the presence of Jesus; and I will be more alive than ever before. To live is Christ and to die is gain (Ph. 1:21-24). It is not a “death wish” in some nihilistic view that nothing matters, but an awareness of heaven.
The hope of the resurrection, and His gospel, is that when you leave this earth, you can spend eternity in the very presence of God with no more heartache, suffering, or despair, only pure contentment in Christ’s presence.
Share The Hope of The Resurrection (1Th. 4:18)
“Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
Comfort the grieving.
Paul understood, God understands, and we need to be aware that people in our midst are grieving the loss of loved ones.
As a follower of Jesus, you should be comforted by the truth that any loved one who responded to the gospel with faith in Jesus will be in God’s presence when they leave this earth; and you will be united with them for eternity in perfection.
Holidays can exacerbate the sense of loss, grief, or mourning. The hope of the resurrection should flow from our lips to comfort others not as a trite expression to silence the grieving, but as the true hope that it is. This hope does not stop grief or mourning, but completely reshapes the experience. So, listen well and then comfort.
What we learn from the saved thief on the cross (Matt. 27:44) is that we are all sinners in need of a Savior, and no matter what we have done, it is not too late to repent and accept the free gift of salvation (Eph. 2:8-9). So, we may be surprised that some who we suspect never received Jesus will in fact be with Him.
Strengthen the weary.
We are to encourage which means to strengthen, comfort, instruct, and exhort about the reality of the resurrection. My greatest comfort lies not in the hope that everything will work out the way I want in this life, but that everything will be perfect in the life to come; and compared to glory with Christ, these present struggles seem like light affliction (2Cor. 4:17-18). That does not minimize the intensity of our struggles in this life, but relative to glory, they are light. That hope strengthens the weary. Since we know that our struggles are temporary, but glory in heaven is eternal, it should lighten our perception of the struggle(s). When you are living for Christ, you are living for eternity and know the comfort of Christ’s hope, and share that hope with others.
Focus on eternity in heaven.
Our hope is to be firmly rooted in the reality of life with Christ, today and forever. This hope comforts me in the challenges that I have experienced, the struggles of today, and the certain hardships of tomorrow. The reality of heaven tips the scales towards a conclusion that it is right, just, and good to bring a child into this world because it is the only way to enter into Christ’s world. The transcendent hope of the universe that provides true comfort despite the hardships of life in our world is found in Jesus’ resurrection, return, and eternity with Him in heavenly perfection. Jesus has not delayed His return because He is slack, but because He is longsuffering and does not want any to perish, but all to repent and receive eternal life (2 Pet.3:9). Today, we are all invited to receive and share the comfort of Christ’s hope.
