Grief

• Grief, grace & glory define the difficult crossroads of death.
• Initially, grief is the response of the one dying & their circle of relationships.
• Jesus is our model in the grieving process.
• Jesus deeply grieved His own death in Gethsemane (Mk 14:32-42).
• He went so far as to ask the Father to change the plan of salvation.
• He grieved His own death in the most profound way.
• Those around the dying one will also grieve with them.
• Jesus grieved the death of His friend Lazarus (Jn 11:33-36).
• Jesus wept.

• Grief is often followed by the question "Why?"
• Our why's often lead to resenting God & His plan.
• One feels the death must be a mistake or malicious or something.
• In many 20th century cultures we have this idea we can solve most problems.
• There are causes to be understood & the course of history to be guided.
• We are frustrated that life cannot be prolonged.
• But the real question is, "Why does God give any of us another minute of life?"
• God does not guarantee a full 70 years of life.
• Each successive breath is a gift from God (Lk 13:1-9).
• This is a great theological truth, but it must become more than that.
• God's grace must become part of us.

• Along with grace, the reality of eternal glory places the proper restraints on grief.
• The loss which accompanies a death is great.
• But the gains of paradise must not be overlooked (Rev 21:1-22:5).
• In many 20th century cultures a bit of paradise has been created here on earth.
• The better it seems here, the harder it becomes to comprehend real paradise.
• We become blinded by blessings.
• Like grief & grace, glory must also become part of our soul.