Death is Always Sad

Scripture: Joab was told, “The king is weeping and mourning for Absalom.” And for the whole army the victory that day was turned into mourning, because on that day the troops heard it said, “The king is grieving for his son.” 2 Samuel 19:1-2

Observation: There is something about death that is so ultimately sad even when it brings about victory. For David, Absalom was an abomination that nearly destroyed his kingship and Israel with it, yet when David defeated Absalom he was bitterly sad. It is said it was similar for God himself - that he was sad when Jesus died despite the fact that this was his plan and his way to achieve ultimate victory over death and evil, reconciling mankind to him.

It is also this way for believers. We are confident that, when a believing loved one dies, they are immediately in a glorious place and filled with joy. However, we are so sad at the passing itself.

Application: I think sadness about death is a "in God's image" quality that exists to teach us two critical lessons:

1) Death itself is evil. It was NOT God's intention for mankind to die. We chose death by the acceptance of evil. Thus, the advent of death is itself something we do not wish to witness or experience in any manner.

2) We love others to the point of wanting to be near them. When they pass, we lose our immediate access to them, and this makes us sad even when we know they are in a wonderful place and we will see them again someday.

Prayer: Lord, I wish the combine these ideas for your purposes ... that I love others enough to want to know that their death is simply a passing into heaven. May I care enough about everyone to wish to see them accept Jesus as their lord and savior, and secure eternal life. Amen.