April 18

“Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her. — John 11:23 BSB

There is wondrous comfort in Jesus’ words to the sorrowing beside a coffin or a new grave. In Martha’s time, the teaching of resurrection was dim, but soon after, Jesus Himself would die and rise again, making the truth bright and clear. Christ’s resurrection was not only proof of His victory over death but also a pledge of the resurrection of all who believe in Him.

We have every reason to lay flowers on the coffins of our Christian loved ones. They will rise again in new life and beauty. In the New Testament, we see Jesus after His resurrection, unchanged by death. His beauty remains; His earthly relationships are intact. He has not forgotten His friends but takes up the old companionships. This will be true for our loved ones as well. They will rise, unchanged in their essence, only cleansed of mortality and sin. They will not have forgotten us, for love never fails. We will resume our friendships in eternity!