John 16:22 “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

Death is a time of sorrow. That was certainly brought home at the wake last night of a friend who died of unexpected heart failure. Several people there seemed quite overcome. However, he was a Christian, with recent evidence of the reality of his salvation, and those who were so torn up were the non-Christians. Death really is different for those who have received and believed Christ, both His words and His example of death and resurrection, The disciples to whom Jesus was speaking in this passage had some very hard times even after His resurrection, with most of them being martyred, but I have every assurance that their fundamental joy and peace were unshaken, because they had seen their risen Lord. Today we have to operate a bit more on faith, because none of us has seen Jesus physically, but by faith our assurance can be just as strong as that of the first apostles. Death isn’t the end, it’s a transition point to far better, and we have the promise of resurrection on top of that. Such assurance is a powerful witness, because most who don’t have it would love to have it, and when they see that it’s real, they seek it, and many find Christ.

I wasn’t that close to the man who just died, but I first met him well over 30 years ago, and I’ve interacted recently with his son. I’m not to be a meddler, but I am to be available to his children and especially to his son. On top of that, there were many people there last night to whom we have witnessed over the years without visible fruit to this point. I need to be sensitive and available to the Holy Spirit to speak truth into their lives, so that this shock may perhaps shake them out of their complacency and show them their own need, so that they may turn to Christ for their own salvation. I don’t know the state of his children’s faith, and I need to be available for confirming that as well. I can’t force anyone to believe, but I can be available to the Holy Spirit, who convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment and draws people to repentance and faith.

Father, thank You that Cathy and I were included in the loop of yesterday’s events, and for how You have already worked through those events in people’s hearts. I pray that as the funeral and cremation are held today that You would continue to work through everything that is said and done, not only for the comfort of his children but especially so that many would be brought to repentance and faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!