The Whole Picture

One Ash Wednesday, I attended a graveside funeral service for a 16-year-old boy, the son of family friends.

He had died in a car accident days before. As the mourners gathered by the freshly turned earth, grief washed over us.

‘Why?’ seemed to be the question on everyone’s lips. ‘Why did this boy, bright with promise, who loved God passionately, die so young?’

No one knows why tragedies occur. But remembering the whole picture helps me.

As Christians, we know that our story does not end on Ash Wednesday. Nor does it end on Good Friday.

Early on Sunday, the stone rolled away; Jesus emerged alive from a dark tomb and eternally shattered the grip of death.

On resurrection morning, Jesus gave us the ability to look death straight in the eyes and say, ‘It isn’t over.’

To those who put their trust in the resurrected One, Jesus gives the assurance of eternal life.

Jesus’ words, ‘The one who believes in me will live, even though they die’ (John 11:25), bring immeasurable comfort and hope to any who would believe—especi­ally those dealing with the loss of a loved one.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for bearing the cross for us. Thank you for rising from the dead and conquering death forever. In your name we pray. Amen