Years ago, a good friend died. We had a long, easy friendship, the kind where we could share with each other the deepest parts of ourselves. That kind of loss is one of the harder parts of death. Never again we think, as we grapple with our grief, will we sit across the table from them and share a meal or tell a story. They have been taken from us.
Certainly, this must have been how Mary of Magdala felt as she peered into Jesus’ empty tomb. She wanted to hear his voice again, listen to one more parable, share another meal. As she contemplates her friend’s death, she hears the same question twice, first from a pair of angels and then, just moments later, from the Risen Christ himself: “Woman, why are you weeping?”
Our sadness and grief are understandable. But for those who believe, death is not the end. Like Jesus, we will rise. We will gather together again in the presence of the Lord. So why are we weeping?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, “Brothers and sisters, we want you to know what happens to those who die. We don’t want you to mourn, as other people do. They mourn because they don’t have any hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again. When He returns, many who believe in Him will have died already. We believe that God will bring them back with Jesus. This agrees with what the Lord has said. When the Lord comes, many of us will still be alive. We tell you that we will certainly not go up before those who have died. The...
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Happy Easter Octave LFF! Please pray for our youth.… I just learned that another one of my son’s friends committed suicide. This is the second one in less than a year. Many of our youth have lost hope in the Resurrection of our Lord or simply don’t know Jesus. Please pray for them (and for the repose of the soul’s of Ryder Barnes and Erik Vincent) and reach out to anyone who might be struggling. Be courageous to share your faith with a stranger…you never know what might become of it. It might just be the words they needed to...
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todays message hit the nail on the head. My best friend of 38 yrs died and I went into a Great Depression for 5 years . after getting counseling I finally learned to accept it and relied on Jesus to help me.
Vicky G… I hope you know just how much your words touch our souls! And once again you touched mine: “I know you—we prayed for each other!” we will embrace in the hug we can only give virtually now.” What a beautiful vision! I’m encouraged to look forward to that comforting moment! Thank you! ❣️
Steve! I have always known without seeing your name, that you were the author of the Reflection I was reading! My sister-in-law, Liz, is close to getting her “wings” and I’m already grieving…gratefully, but already knowing what a loss she will be for our family, and me. But your words were so comforting and hope filled. Thank you! ❣️
Blessings Steve for your devotional today. We also have to remember how Jesus wept for his friend Lazarus when he learned that he died, then brought him out of the tomb. We grieve over the loss of loved ones when they pass away from this earthly life of pain and suffering. Then we weep tears of joy in the promise of the resurrection. Christian people are called to share the good news of this new life in the love we share with God and the neighbor. May it be so always in the blessed love and service always.
We should know it not the end but we are thinking about we will miss them and all the things we was going to do but with out them we are just sad like humans we think that way God be with us all Amen Amen Amen
Steve how true your words! Believing can be so very hard as we are so very human. I thank God for all he has given us and pray that he guides us each day for all to see and feel his love and bring peace back to this weary world. Blessings to all the LFF, especially those with extra needs these days. Vicky G. thinking about you. Scott hope I believe it was your daughter going through a hard time. Ken, Bill, Peggy, Jane we miss you and for all those that are a part of this LFF/Ohana. May Gods...
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Blessings Stormi, God promises new life and renewal for those who struggle with difficult times. That is the power of the resurrection. Keep praying and lifting people up in your comments. Appreciate you and praying that you are doing the best you are able in your situation. We will weep tears of joy one day together in the heavenly home promised to all who love in the many names of the One who sent Jesus to save us and world from sin.
Oh Stormi, thank you. Days are getting harder as my condition progresses and yet whether I have the ability that day to comment here or not you are in my thoughts and most certainly in my prayers. Our stories and the stories of our friends here and their family members give me a mission of praying for others that most people don’t have the extended time to do, and I feel blessed to be so privileged. Even the neighbors who present a fearful threat to you and your hubby Mike and your animals, and who I wish weren’t in your...
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Where do you look for answers? *** Do you know why Mary Magdalene was crying? John 20:11a, 13, 15, “But Mary stood outside the tomb crying…They (two angels) asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said. “I don’t know where they have put Him…He (Jesus) asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She thought He was the gardener. So she said, “Sir, did you carry Him away? Tell me where you put Him. Then I will go and get Him.” *** Mary was very sad that Jesus died...
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