Death is hard to reckon with. It is a great unknown, and brings in its wake trepidation and uncertainty. We will face it someday, and probably have already faced it as we have lost others. The Thessalonians have great cause for grief, as several of their own have died. Their grief, however, is somewhat misplaced, and their misunderstanding is causing them harm. Today, Paul seeks to encourage the Thessalonians in the Lord, giving them, even in their grief, a sense of hope in the gospel. Let us take these words to heart, learn from them, and use them well in our lives. Death might come for us all, but we have reason to hope even in our sorrow because Christ himself lives.
