In my 20 years of pastoral ministry, I have presided over many funerals. I have conducted funerals for the young and old; for those whom I knew and those unknown to me. Some died naturally, others violently. These funerals have allowed me to observe the depths of human grief. When the curtain is drawn for a final good-bye, family members often turn to me for words of hope. "Is he at peace with God?" "Will we see her again in heaven?" These are the questions people want me to answer. Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness often overwhelm us when confronted with the horrible reality of death.

When Jesus died his disciples had similar feelings. Beyond their sadness at losing a dear friend and beloved teacher, their hope for a better world died on that cross with Jesus. After his death two of his disciples said, "We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21). Mixed with their grief was a profound and crippling sense of despair. They also experienced guilt. They abandoned Jesus when he needed them the most. He was arrested and they fled in fear for their lives. At funerals it is not uncommon for people to experience a broad range of traumatic emotions. "If only" and "I should have" statements express the sense of regret and helplessness people feel.

Death is an inevitable part of the human story. We all must face the painful sting of death. Scripture refers to death as "the last enemy to be destroyed" (I Corinthians 15:26). I long for the day described by the apostle, "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory'" (I Corinthians 15:54).

Today we celebrate life! Today we reflect on the event that brought the Christian church into existence: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The reappearance of the living Christ brought hope from despair for the early disciples. He had risen just as he had told them. In one of his appearances Jesus said, "I am the living one; I was dead and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death ..." (Revelation 1:18). We need the words of hope which he spoke to grieving friends at the funeral of their beloved brother. He said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies" (John 11:25). Put your trust completely in him and you will be fully prepared to face death.