Losing a loved one is never easy.
I will soon be standing with my family at the graveside of my precious cousin whose life will end much sooner than any of us ever expected. It’s a good reminder that life is fleeting, and we don’t know how long we have on this earth.
Today they took her off the ventilator, and we wait. Yes, God could do a miracle, but we are at peace knowing God will take her Home in the next few days.
As I was praying for her this morning and picturing the day we stand at her grave and say “goodbye,” God brought my thoughts to Easter. Without the empty tomb, we would stand in cemeteries saying goodbye to loved ones, knowing it was a final goodbye. No eternal life. No hope.
But because God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, we can stand beside the grave and rejoice for those who have put their faith in Him. Jesus defeated death. He died, but He was resurrected so we might have eternal life. We grieve for those who are no longer with us, but we can find comfort in knowing they’re rejoicing and experiencing intimacy with God far beyond anything we know on this earth.
My cousin loves Jesus. I can just imagine her dancing down the streets of gold and reminiscing with loved ones who have gone before her.
Jesus, thank You for the cross. Thank You for the pain You went through for us so we can stand at the side of a grave and find peace, knowing there is everlasting life in You.
“I am the resurrection and the life: he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die . . .” (John 11:25–26, NASB)
As we celebrate Easter in a few weeks, let’s give thanks to God for all He’s done for us through the cross. Because of Christ, there is life after death.
