Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. (1Th 4:13 NIV)
Christian hope is a very strong comfort even as we stand at the graves of our loved ones. This hope is focussed on the glorious return of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ together with all that is his including the resurrection of the body, the gathering and communion of saints with him and eternal salvation. Our verse bases its hope on this faith, sure trust and confidence. The apostle does not go into any detail concerning those who are sleeping in Christ. This eternal life in Christ is such an assured deposit of the Christian faith and hope even if there is no proof given for this in the new Testament. Yet people sometimes look for such proof as if all depended on it. However there is none forthcoming. We have but Moses and the Prophets – and thankfully also the Lord’s and his apostle’s witness and blessed testimony. That is far stronger and more helpful than any proof, we would seek. It is also quite fruitless to ponder the question, whether this or that one is now indeed saved or not. This is not for us to judge or even to know, but to commit to the Lord. His is the righteous judge and he will surely see to it that his own reach his most blessed destiny with him in heaven. For those who live and die in the Lord, they will surely rise bodily to the blessed life of eternal salvation in Jesus Christ. Amen.
O Lord, we are but migrants and pilgrims here on earth. Our life is like a fleeting shadow and there is no turning back as we move consistently towards your heavenly judgement in eternity. We lift up our voice to you even though we are but dust and ashes. You have raised your dear son Jesus Christ from the dead. You have sent him to bless us and to save us from all our sin. You have prepared a rest for your people so that we will at last rest from all our doings. We thank you for the hope that you have given us concerning our abode in your heavenly home. Confirm us once again through your most holy word, which we hear by your grace and mercy and let us rest in peace now and forever. Amen. (Agenda of the old Prussian Union 1931)
Jesus Christ, my sure Defense And my Savior, ever liveth; Knowing this, my confidence Rests upon the hope it giveth Though the night of death be fraught Still with many an anxious thought.
Jesus, my Redeemer, lives; I, too, unto life shall waken. Endless joy my Savior gives; Shall my courage, then, be shaken? Shall I fear, or could the Head Rise and leave His members dead?
Nay, too closely I am bound Unto Him by hope forever; Faith’s strong hand the Rock hath found, Grasped it, and will leave it never; Even death now cannot part From its Lord the trusting heart. (Otto von Schwerin, 1616-1679 tr Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878)
This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the twenty fifth Sunday after the high holiday of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 390 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu! (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.
