Typically, my least favorite season is Fall. Everything is dying, no new life. Many family members have left this earth during the autumn months. Each year that gets easier for me. But, a good friend called me last night grieving and told me that her least favorite time was Spring for the very same reason. She was in the midst of writing something for her grandmother's memorial service.
As death is not an easy subject and so much grief goes along with it, we STILL have reason to rejoice! Here is comfort to you, my friends!
Today Jesus died on the cross; an undeserved, cruel, gruesome, painful death. But, Jesus did it willingly following His Father's desires. In 2 Corinthians 5:21 Paul writes "For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." Jesus died for us so "that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right" 1 Peter 2:24. Galatians 3:13.
And because He died for us, we have HOPE. That is what Easter is about!
Jesus gives us victory over sin and death through his death and resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:57.
And the Good News is that this world is not our permanent home. Thank goodness! We have an eternal home with Him when we believe in the Good Friday sacrifice and the Easter resurrection! Hebrews 13:14, John 3:16.
One day when Jesus returns "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." Revelations 21:4 This is our hope! This is what gives us relief for our suffering, dying loved ones and we too can look forward that home yet to come.
Remember, friends. We are citizens of heaven, not of this world. And we are eagerly waiting for His return. He will take our weak and mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. Philippians 4:20-21.
Death of a loved one can be very difficult. Remembering and reading about Christ's suffering and death on the cross for us is excruciating. But, because God gave us this free Easter gift of mercy and grace and love, we can have HOPE and comfort in knowing that he raises us from the dead along with Christ and seats us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-6.
God showed his great LOVE for us by giving us His only Son. This is His greatest free, gift to you. John 3:16
Do you choose to accept it? Take hold of this HOPE that is available to you!
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