Death is painful, but for those who are in Christ, it is not the end. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, Paul reminds a grieving church that because Jesus died and rose again, those who belong to Him will also rise. When Christ returns, the dead in Christ will be raised, those who are alive will join them, and together we will welcome our King and be with Him forever.

Christian hope does not mean that we do not grieve; it means that we grieve differently. The grave does not have the final word. Jesus does. So as we wait for His return, we are called to comfort the grieving, share this hope with those who do not yet know Him, and encourage one another with these words.