Comfort from the Return of Jesus

I once officiated a funeral that, to a great degree, exemplified the teaching in this text. Whether or not the deceased was a born again Christian, I cannot say. I believe she did profess Christ but her church attendance was sporadic at best. I preached and conducted the service and then read Scripture leading in prayer at the graveside. When I finished, I consoled each member of the family who was sitting in chairs at the front of the group that had gathered. After stepping to the side to await as the funeral directors finalized the service, I witnessed an unusual display of emotion. As the family began to rise and move away, several of them threw themselves violently on the casket weeping intently while crying out without any regard. It had become clear earlier that I was working with a family of non-believers. As I observed the scene, I was moved to compassion and while trying to console them I thought of this passage in the New Testament. This is what it means to be without hope!