“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. ‘ John 14:1-3
On Monday, Jesus called a dear brother, a blessed saint, home. In doing so, the world lost the physical presence of a great advocate for God’s kingdom. However, his legacy will carry on through the lives and kingdom work of those he touched.
As I’ve thought about the man I had such a brief period of time to get to know, I struggle with how to help those feeling the very deep pangs of grief.
A few years ago I was asked to do the funeral for a friend’s wife. Unsure of how to prepare for that day, I found myself returning over and over to this passage from John. What a wonderful hope we have in Jesus and what a comforting image He paints for us here.
When a close pastor friend’s father died not long ago, my friend shared his perspective. He said the grieving belongs to those of us left behind, only. He said, “my father is not missing us, and that brings me peace”. So, for those grieving the loss of a loved one and for the future grief of loss that finds us all, I leave you with this passage from John, my friend’s perspective and this… if we believe what we say we believe, rejoice, rejoice I say… because they are. Have a blessed weekend.
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy
