Tears turned into Joy

Like sunshine after the rain, there is resurrection after death.

To live above with saints we love,

Oh! That will be glory!

To live below with saints we know,

Well, that's a different story! (Anonymous)

Word

We belong to a great company of those who have been redeemed by Christ’s death and sanctified by his grace. We are forgiven to live with God forever.

Still, people die. And still we mourn. Grandparents, parents, siblings, stillborn infants, cousins, friends, pets, or personalities of public life.

Jesus was moved by the tears of Mary and other mourners over the the death of his friend Lazarus. He began to cry himself. But Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (v.40)

Jesus turned tears into joy. Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb. Even though there already was a stench of decay. The people were overjoyed. The raising of Lazarus anticipated Jesus’ own resurrection. And his resurrection prefigures of ours.

Connection

When confronted with experiences or circumstances that cause us to feel shocked, angry or depressed, we react with tears, blame or withdrawal.

Our feelings and reactions are natural, but we need to decide what to do about them. We can give in and give up, or we can go to God and go on.

God mourns with us over suffering and decay of life. But God is eternal, and has the power of creating life out of nothing.

Message

The Good News is: There will be a resurrection for us after we die. There will be consolation, acceptance and hope when we grieve the deaths of our loved ones. It may seem like darkness of death and grief surround us and have overcome us.

Jesus says to you: God will restore your joy again. It will come just as certain as the sunrise after the night has ended. And with the rising of the sun, darkness is banished, and with the rising of the dead there will be no more death or suffering or grief.