Firstly an apology for not posting in a while. This was partly due to family issues. My wife’s mother contracted Covid in November, and sadly passed away in mid-December. It’s been tough on all the family; she was kind and generous, the sort of Nana that everyone loves to visit. The funeral, at the beginning of January, was a great send-off, with various musical contributions from the family and several heartfelt tributes.

My eldest son Zak, who is training for the Anglican ministry, preached a great message about the hope and comfort Jesus gives, now and eternally. He used the Lazarus story in John 11 to show how Jesus understands grief, and he read Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Zak encouraged us with the words “Jesus can comfort you now, and he can comfort you forever”.

So we grieve, but as Christians we do not grieve as the world grieves. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 makes it clear that when we, ie those who have put their faith in Jesus, die, we are only separated for a short time, after which we will enter into the eternal kingdom of King Jesus. This is a comfort and an encouragement, a source of peace and joy, and inspires us in our worship.

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