In his book A Grief Observed, C.S. Lewis vulnerably shared, “Talk to me about the truth of religion and I’ll listen gladly. Talk to me about the duty of religion and I’ll listen submissively. But don’t come talking to me about the consolations of religion or I shall suspect that you don’t understand.”
Lewis’ wife, Joy, had just died from cancer.
Perhaps you’ve suffered a similar loss, and perhaps you also find the “consolations of religion” utterly devoid of sustenance in the confusing drought that is grief.
There’s nothing wrong with that. Religious systems cannot feel your sorrow. Theology cannot empathize with you in your darkest moments. The Christian movement alone might offer spiritual direction and lifestyle tips, but it cannot give you true hope. Only Jesus Christ can do that.
He is the One who created humanity to never feel the sting of death. When we fell to sin and lost immortality, He is the One who loved us enough to become human and die to save us. He is the One who rose from the grave, securing us the choice of salvation and, consequently, the hope of resurrection.
“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.” (1 Corinthians 15:20, 21)
God’s Word contains many more passages on death and resurrection that explain:
- How we can grieve with the hope of resurrection
- How this hope frames Christian funerals
- The true, comforting state of the dead
- The epitome of Christian hope that can transform your life today
How To Grieve With the Hope of Resurrection
A grieving heart is not lacking in faith or connection to God. In fact, we know that God draws especially close to the brokenhearted and feels their pain (Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 63:9). His Word never tells believers not to grieve. Instead, it teaches a different kind of grief—a temporary sadness that looks forward to eternal restoration.
The apostle Paul wrote:
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 3:13–14)
The resurrection hope allows believers to feel deep sorrow and deep assurance at the same time. Christians grieve intensely while believing that God will one day raise all dead believers. What’s more, many Christian writers have said grief itself is a testimony that love is stronger than death. With the resurrection in mind, our sadness following someone’s passing can become an expression of love rather than despair.
Simply put, the resurrection means death is not the end of the story. We have so much more to look forward to, a glorious future with loved ones to which “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared” (Romans 8:18).
There is also great comfort in understanding that those who die without accepting Jesus as their Savior will endure merciful justice, not eternal torment.
How the Hope of Resurrection Frames Christian Funerals
Scripture points to a future moment when Christ will return to Earth and awaken believers who sleep in the grave to be reunited with loved ones.
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
This promise transforms how Christians perform funerals, because a temporary goodbye is far different than a permanent one.
Christian funerals often focus on three themes:
- Remembering the Person
Loved ones share stories of the deceased’s life, character, and faith. Grief is expressed and acknowledged honestly. Remember, even Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35).
- Affirming Christ’s Victory
Christian memorial services often feature passages like:
- John 11:25
- 1 Corinthians 15
- Psalm 23
The message is clear: Christ has conquered death.
- Looking Toward the Resurrection
Like a seed planted in soil, the burial itself symbolizes the hope of resurrection.
Paul wrote: “What you sow does not come to life unless it dies” (1 Corinthians 15:36). The grave, then, represents both a resting place and a field awaiting renewed life. This is why early Christians sometimes called cemeteries “sleeping places.”
If a funeral does not include a traditional burial, it will still likely include readings, songs, and prayers focused on the deceased’s future resurrection and life with Christ.
The True, Comforting State of the Dead
Most Christians believe passionately in:
- The authority of Scripture
- Christ’s victory over sin on the cross
- The certainty of resurrection
- God’s gift of eternal life
But not all agree on what happens between death and resurrection. Based on thorough Bible study, the Seventh-day Adventist movement emphasizes “soul sleep,” the concept that when a person dies:
- Their consciousness stops.
- They rest in the grave.
- They regain awareness only at the resurrection.
This view of the state of the dead protects two important biblical truths:
- God alone has immortality.
- The resurrection is central to Christian hope.
If the deceased traveled directly to heaven at death, the resurrection might seem less necessary. But in the biblical narrative, the resurrection is the climax of God’s sweeping plan of redemption.
Read more about the state of the dead.
The Epitome of Christian Hope That Can Transform Your Life Today
Later on in A Grief Observed, Lewis wrote: “I need Christ, not something that resembles Him.”
The pain caused by death is real and seemingly boundless, unable to be healed by religious dogma alone. Only a relationship with Jesus brings true restoration, because the more you get to know Him, the more you’ll understand His infinite love, goodness, and empathy—the more you’ll find strength and joy in His promises.
Concerning the story of Lazarus, Adventist founder Ellen G. White wrote:
“Together they proceeded to the grave. It was a mournful scene. Lazarus had been much beloved, and his sisters wept for him with breaking hearts, while those who had been his friends mingled their tears with those of the bereaved sisters. In view of this human distress, and of the fact that the afflicted friends could mourn over the dead while the Saviour of the world stood by, who had power to raise from the dead, ‘Jesus wept.’ Though he was the Son of God, he had taken human nature upon him, and he was moved by human sorrow. His tender, pitiful heart is ever awakened to sympathy by suffering. He weeps with those who weep, and rejoices with those who rejoice.” (The Youth’s Instructor, April 20, 1899, par. 3)
Jesus feels your pain right now, and He promises to end it forever:
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
The epitome of Christian hope is beautifully simple: The One who once cried, “Lazarus, come forth,” will return to Earth and call every believer by name. Death will release its prisoners. And on that resurrection day, grief will turn into endless joy.
Related Articles:
- Resurrection at the Second Coming Explained Through Scripture
- The Cross and the State of the Dead
- 10 Bible Verses That Teach Death Is Sleep Until the Resurrection
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Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
