"For we are saved by Hope: but hope that is seen is not Hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Romans 8:24
While channel surfing I ran across a program where a Priest was talking about a lifelong friendship he had begun with an older Jewish couple long before he was ordained as a priest. The three of them had maintained their friendship for several decades; and, over the years, they would attend various special events and services at each other’s respective place of worship. It was a special relationship honed out of love, respect, and admiration. Then, one day his Jewish friend called him to say that his wife had died from her long illness. When the Priest came to console his friend during his time of grief, the grieving man turned to him weeping and said, “I’m truly jealous of you!” Surprised by his friend’s words, the Priest replied, “—Uh? What do you mean –I don’t have a wife.” His Jewish friend looked at him through teary bloodshot eyes and said, “Yes, I know.
–That’s not what I meant. –I meant, as a Christian you have Hope! But, as a Jew, all I have is a lifeless body...” And, he began to weep.
Many times, as Christians, we forget that our belief in Jesus means that, we not only believe in the power of an omnipotent, omnipresent God while we live and breathe; we also believe in an eternal life with God. --There’s more; we believe that if our loved ones are also Christians, then one day, we will be reunited in eternity.
This ingrained reality really becomes our source of comfort after someone we loved has passed on. Obviously, at the beginning, this reality does not set in immediately; however, when we finally realize that the person is really not coming back to our current reality; our comfort is in knowing that we will be reunited one day. So, to those who are grieving today over the loss of a loved one, remember that God’s Love is so encompassing, His gift of Hope is yet another aspect of His eternal Love for you.
As we commemorate, reflect, and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, remember that a grieving man, a man outside of our faith, finally understood the overall depth of our belief in Jesus Christ. –As Christians, we have Hope! L.
Study Reference: Romans 8:24, Romans 15:13
From; "You Have Hope!" In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo credit: shutterstock
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