The Explore the Bible lesson for April 10 focuses on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
One of the hardest moments in my life was the passing of my mother. As a pastor, I have performed many funeral services. The day my mother was called to be with the Lord, I was not asked, but as the only pastor in the family, I was given the task of preparing the entire service. It was the hardest funeral sermon to deliver. The pain of the passing of a loved one is not a sign of lacking faith or trust. It just hurts.
There is nothing wrong with taking take time to mourn. You are human. Our Lord understands our pain as we experience the passing of a loved one. The shortest verse in the Bible reads, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Jesus saw the pain Martha and Mary were experiencing. They were grieving the temporary separation, and he shared their pain. That is a human thing to do.
Hope in Jesus’ example (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)
These verses should not be interpreted as a reprimand of the pain a believer experiences when a loved one dies. This is a call to reflect on what we believe about life and death. Most people might see death as punishment or as the end of existence.
Paul wants believers to remember that Jesus arose from the dead. Each believer will experience resurrection. This is imperative for the Christian faith. If Christ had not risen, our faith is in vain. The pain a believer will go through does not compare. A person without hope cannot reconcile the passing of a loved one. The believer’s sorrow and pain when facing the Christian’s death are addressed by focusing on the hope of resurrection. If a believer cannot reconcile the death and resurrection, bitterness and resentment can become an impediment for a healthy relationship with our savior.
The mourning process needs to be allowed to take place. The grieving will take its course. Fostering a healthy view of who God is and the promise of eternal life will help the healing process, focusing more on the life of the person. Life is stronger than death.
Hope in the perfect time (1 Thessalonians 4:15-16)
According to biblical scholars, the church in Thessalonica believed all would be alive for Jesus’ return. Therefore, when one of the church members passed away, they were confused. Paul reminded them that those that have died in Christ will precede in resurrection those that are alive.
Paul uses a word in Greek parousia that means the coming of the divine. It is a term used to describe the second coming of Jesus Christ to Earth. It was a code word for first century believers to always be expecting his return.
The other term used is Koimaō, which means sleep. This was a common euphemism for death in Pauline writings. Jesus used this term when he was referring to Lazarus’ death. This term was used to counteract a culture that would see death as the absolute termination of existence.
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These verses provide believers with the hope of the perfect time of his calling and his coming. He will come back, and he will descend from heaven and everyone will see him. The apocalyptic imagery used by Paul is to create a vision of what is to come. Death has no more dominion over creation. Jesus defeated death. One day the trumpet will sound, meaning that the king of kings is coming.
Hope for a great reunion (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18)
Paul’s intention is not to reprimand those grieving the death of someone they love. Rather, his desire is to distinguish between believers and non-believers in their views of death. The Lord promises a reunion with him and those that have believed in him. Death no longer has dominion as the absolute terminal event. Jesus has conquered death.
A Christian distinctive is our understanding of grief and where do we find comfort and hope: Jesus. Here we have an assurance that one day we will embrace, kiss, hug and see that person we miss so much. One day we will feel their love, and we will be together again, and this time there will be no separation. We will be together forever with our Lord. Paul wants believers to encourage one another, that while there will be pain and separation with death, this is but for a moment. One day, the trumpet shall sound, and we will be together with our God and those we love.
Ricardo Brambila, M.Div., is pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista Dallas and the executive director for West Dallas Community School, a Christian school for boys and girls with limited financial resources in West Dallas.
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