Grief in Loss and Joy in Gain: Death Is Defeated and Eternal Life Guaranteed!

By Anna Ram~ Psychologist and Integrative Pastoral Counselor

Grief is a profound and often overwhelming experience that touches each of us at some point in our lives. It is a natural and complex emotional response to a loss, and it can arise from a variety of situations. When we mourn the loss of a loved one, grief is about navigating the feelings and adjustments that come with that absence.

In times of loss, we may find ourselves seeking comfort and understanding. Jesus understands. In John 11:35, Jesus wept and showed empathy and compassion to Lazarous family, acknowledging their sorrow and sharing in their grief, even knowing he will resurrect Lazarous. This story encourages us to embrace our emotions, seek support, and remember that hope can emerge even in the midst of despair. Some theologians think that Jesus’s tears also reflected his awareness of death as an enemy and the suffering it causes in the world or that he saw it as a foreshadowing of his own impending death and the suffering he would endure. But I believe Jesus loved this family deeply and shared in their suffering.

 I don’t know about you, but while I have been “pondering and reflecting” in memory of Jesus’ death, I also have experienced mourning for Christ’s sufferings since Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, even though this is past history. But this year, I decided not to overlook his experience of suffering for me. I can’t imagine the people who really loved him and were close to him in Jerusalem how his followers handled their pain and navigated that dangerous political situation that came to haunt them later for preaching his message. Jesus himself had the most difficult week that a human and even a divine being can have. But for this very purpose he came to earth and said, “It is finished!” For this very reason, we no longer mourn like those who have no hope.

Think for a moment on the following timelines and event and let’s try to understand the context and the importance of the details in Jesus experience:

Time of the Crucifixion and Easter

1. The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread:
   • Passover begins on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan and is immediately followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which lasts seven days (Nisan 15-21). The first and last days of this feast are considered special Sabbaths, even if they do not fall on the regular weekly Sabbath.
   • Passover commemorates the biblical event described in the Book of Exodus, where God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The name “Passover” comes from the final plague that God sent to Egypt, where the firstborn of each household were killed. The Israelites were instructed to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb so that the angel of death would “overlook” their homes, saving their firstborn. (Jesus, “the Lamb of God” fulfilled that feast on the cross.)
2. Chronology of the Crucifixion:
   • According to Gospel accounts, Jesus was crucified the day after the Last Supper, which is traditionally understood to be a Passover meal. The Last Supper is believed to have taken place on the night of Nisan 14, before Nisan 15, which is the beginning of Passover.
   • Jesus was crucified on the 15th of Nisan, which is also the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This day is significant because it is a holy day in the Jewish calendar. (Remember that Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. Unleavened bread was also in the temple…)
3. Connection to Saturday:
   • The day of Jesus’ crucifixion is often referred to as “Good Friday” in Christian tradition. It is important to note that the day following the crucifixion (Saturday) would have been the weekly Sabbath, which begins at sundown on Friday and lasts until sunset on Saturday. The Feast of Unleavened Bread also includes special Sabbaths, which can add to the complexity of the timeline.

According to the Scriptures:

What did Jesus do on the Sabbath?

During creation, Jesus (the divine) rested from all his work on the 7th, according to Genesis. We assume that Jesus the human being rested in his tomb because it was the Sabbath.  Next, the Scriptures say that He did something different: He is being born into newness of life and is announcing the good news to all generations before Him, before He shows Himself to many:

1Peter 3:18-20 (NIV) 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the body, but made alive in the Spirit,19 and after being made alive, he proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 those who had been disobedient long ago, when God waited patiently in Noah’s day while the ark was being built. In it, only a few people, eight in total, were saved thanks to the water.

Ephesians 4:8-10 (NIV) 8 That is why it says, “When he went up on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” 9 What does it mean to “ascend” if not that he also descended to the lower earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the same one who ascended higher than all the heavens, to fill the whole universe.

Matthew 27:52-53 (NIV) 52 The tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had died were resurrected.
53 After Jesus’ resurrection they came out of the tombs, entered the holy city, and appeared to many people.

Easter Day~ 1 Corinthians 15 (all is good)

All the pain is about to disappear… all the tears are about to dry… He is risen. Jesus is alive! And he shows himself to many alive, before he goes to heaven and sits at the right hand of God, until all his enemies are destroyed and he returns to reign as King.

Jesus appeared to women, first. John 20:11-18, Matthew 28:1-10

Second, He appeared to Peter, Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5

Third, to other disciples: Luke 24:13-35, John 20. Acts 1:9-11

Fourth, to Saul of Tarsus (Paul) 1 Corinthians 15:8; Acts 9:1-6

I find it fascinating! Isn’t it? Feel so grateful, too.

If you didn’t celebrate the sacrament (Holy Communion) this week, do so on Resurrection Day. You can do it as a family or alone at home as many times as you want. Enjoy Resurrection Day!