Jesus was moved, often to tears, by the plights
of those the world called "losers." And
he provided a caring touch, a healing word, and
a loving embrace to those who would receive it.
He consciously chose to enter the pain of ultimate
loss-giving up his body so that resurrection's story
could forever change the way the world experiences
change.
But it didn't come easily. Easter Sunday's triumphalism
cannot be hailed without counting the cost of the
previous Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Gethsemane
and Calvary were excruciating, painful moments for
Jesus, for this followers, and for his family. Equally
debilitating were the subsequent days of seeming
defeat when his body lay in a borrowed tomb. "Pain
is a tragedy. But it's never only a tragedy. For
the Christian, it's always a necessary mile on the
long journey to joy" (Larry Crabb in Shattered
Dreams).
For today, the truth is every worshiper in a church
assembly is dealing with loss on some level. And
every worshiper needs to hear that the Bible is
far from silent on this issue. In fact, it is highly
significant to acknowledge that the Christian faith's
central symbol is the juxtaposition of a cross and
an empty grave.
Of all entities, the church as a corporate body
must claim its healing role in letting its members
acknowledge the intense pain of losing precious
treasures, of feeling disappointment with God not
responding to our hopes, dreams, and felt needs.
The church must proclaim that the tumult of dealing
with loss is not the same as being unfaithful but
is, in fact, faithfulness.
Loss and its accompanying grief is a theme of people
of faith. Our vocation includes leaving, letting
go, joining others going through loss, and calling
out to God. We are called as Christians to enter,
not avoid, the realm of pain and loss. And we can
be certain that the God who knows loss continues
to mold us, joining us as a faithful companion on
our spiritual journey.
VIRGIL FRY
