Mark 5:21-23, 35-43

“When he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.’” vs. 39

When death comes to our families there is almost always sadness and grief. Visitors come to offer consolation and support. Tears will be shed, and occasionally the setting can even be chaotic. That’s particularly true when the mourners are unfamiliar with the feelings death brings–perhaps they’ve never before experienced the loss of a loved one, and they’re not quite sure what to do. The feelings of sadness can be overwhelming. But for those who have been nurtured in Christ Jesus, and who have taken to heart the message of new life, know what to do when death visits their home. Of course there will be tears, but there will also be an undercurrent of hope. When a person’s trust is in Jesus, death is never the end of the road, but rather the beginning of new life. So when a loved one dies our faith kicks in and we remember the promises of scripture. A service begins to be planned, one that will include the whole faith community, and while attention will be paid to remembering the life of the one who has died, the focus of our worship will be on resurrection. We’ll acknowledge the foibles and faith of the one who has died, but it’s the good news of Jesus that will bring us comfort and peace.

Thought for the Day: Why don’t some people want a funeral service?