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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: BURIED (04/01/21)
Last week a close friend received some very bad news. A cousin, someone she grew up with, had died of a drug overdose. While drug addiction was something that this man had battled throughout most of his adult life, the news was a still a body blow that she continues to work through. As we walked through the recent season of following Jesus through his last days, his death, and resurrection, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through her mind as she processed the reality that someone she had loved dearly was gone and would not be coming back. It is the finality of death, watching the body placed into the ground, that challenges us as we deal with the sorrow and loss that threatens to paralyze us and overwhelm us as we struggle to get on with life.

In reading the gospel accounts during the recent period of Lent, I was struck by how difficult it was for the disciples to comprehend the truth that Jesus would die and be buried. It was a final reckoning that did not mesh with their expectations. They wanted a Messiah who would drive out the enemy and institute the kingdom of God on Earth. Even after the resurrection, this question was still on the disciples’ lips. They could not shake it. The idea of Jesus dying and being placed in a tomb just did not fit their belief system and when it actually happened it broke them. Those who had followed Jesus most closely were driven into hiding in fear as Jesus gave his life on the cross. The finality of death was just too much for them to bear.

My friend will soon have a reckoning. She will attend a funeral where she will do her best to say good-bye to her beloved cousin. She will watch his body go down into the earth. She will grieve for the loss of someone so close. But, this is not all. For this cousin, for all his faults, was a follower of Jesus. He was not perfect, but he did trust in the one who is. His death, like that of Jesus, is not the end. His body will be buried but his spirit is already in heaven with his Lord and savior. This truth will help my friend through the dark times. During those seasons when grief takes hold and won’t let go. What is buried in the earth will one day arise something far better. It is God’s way and it is a good way. Jesus was the first and many of us will follow. I’m thankful my friend has that hope and that I do as well.
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This article has been read 317 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
John Custer
04/08/21
Good article and so true. Jesus forgive our sins even if others don't---so comforting!
Laurie Kiel 
04/08/21
Excellent article. I liked the phrase “body blow” to describe how the bad news felt. I liked the unity of how it began and ended with the cousin’s death. One small thing — near the end there’s a sentence fragment “During those seasons when grief takes hold and won’t let go.”
Great job. I enjoyed reading it.
Dolores Stohler 
04/08/21
How grateful we all are to know our sins are forgiven and the grave is not the end. Very well written.
Gloria Pierre Dean
04/14/21
"I’m thankful my friend has that hope and that I do as well" and so do I.