“A Christian knows that death shall be the funeral of all his sins, all his sorrows, his afflictions, his temptations, his vexations, his oppressions, his persecutions… he knows that death shall be the resurrection of all his hopes, his joys, his delights, his comforts, his contentments.”
(Thomas Brooks)
The soft piano music and slideshow full of captured memories has faded to silence and black. The casket has been closed. The family has been ushered in to their seats near the front of the sanctuary. The pastor rises and ascends to the podium. The room is quiet because of the somberness of the moment. A family member, a friend, a fellow church member, a coworker… and a dear sister-in-Christ has breathed her last on this earth. But as the pastor opens his mouth, the tone of this funeral immediately changes…
“I want to welcome everyone to the funeral of all of Sarah’s sins, sorrows, afflictions, temptations, and vexations…”
What a startling way to begin! And yet—what if this is the truest way to see a Christian’s death? Not as the end of everything good, but as the end of everything bad?
Thomas Brooks captures something breathtaking here: death as the ultimate reversal. Every burden that Sarah carried, every temptation she endured, every sorrow she wept over—death is their funeral. To all these, God says: “Thus far shall you come, and no farther…” Can you imagine it? All those heavy things, finally laid to rest forever.
But here’s where it gets even more glorious: at the very same moment those sorrows are buried, a kind of resurrection takes place. Every hope she held onto in the darkness comes blazing into full light. Every glimpse of joy she tasted becomes an endless feast. The comfort she longed for? Fully realized. The contentment she chased? Completely satisfied.
This is the stunning promise for all those who have embraced Jesus Christ by faith: because of His finished work on their behalf, death swallows up what’s broken and births what’s eternal. It’s not just escape from suffering—it’s entry into fullness. Not just relief, but resurrection life.
What a reason to live with hope today! Christian, the funeral is coming for your pain. A resurrection is coming for your joy.
What a day that will be!
"This & That" 
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