When someone we know is touched by the death of a loved one, we can do what we can to help. But to be honest, there isn’t a lot we can do besides pray, and then to be there for those who are bereaved. I know we sometimes feel a little helpless, and don’t know what to say. Expressions of sympathy, of sorrow, of kindness, of love, are always in place and often comforting. Sometimes, a hug is all you can give; but that is a lot, really.

It occurred to me, at first, to think that the loss of a loved one is a net loss of love in our community, but on second thought, I don’t think so. There is a reservoir of love in a community of believers, and it is not diminished by death. It can be diminished by hard words. It can be dimmed by harsh judgments. It can be diminished by neglect, by apathy, by carelessness—but not by death. Death, in fact, give us a chance to refresh the reservoir of love in church and family.

Jesus promised that he would build his church, and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. It occurred to me that our Lord intended the church to become a community of love. And that love is stronger than the gates of hell. This is as true of a family as it is of the church. I want to remind you of a familiar scripture, but I hope in the light of what I have said that it will go a little deeper into your heart. We’ll find it Romans, chapter 8…