It is perhaps the saddest time in our life when someone we love passes on.  The empty rocking chair, the cheerful good mornings or the extended hand from one who has always comforted us is physically not here.  There is no way to explain the void in our heart yet Jesus knows all things.  Jesus understands.  Jesus comforts. 

It is through the love of Jesus Christ that not only can we experience His comfort today but we can look ahead knowing we will see that special someone again.

Imagine a beautiful tree with many branches then one branch dies and falls off.  The empty place on the tree is obvious because that branch served an important purpose.  Then suppose someone took that dead branch and was somehow able to make it sprout new life and grafted it onto a bigger and stronger tree.  That dead branch has come to life again on a bigger and more beautiful tree that will never die.

To hear a story like this makes it all seem worthwhile for that branch and gives all branches a great future.

During our time on earth and in an earthly body we are appointed to die and after that eternity and judgement.  Jesus assures us that our homes are not here and our true homes are with Him.  There are no deaths, decay, sadness or disappointing memories in heaven.  Our greatest comfort is the assurance that our loved ones and all believers in Jesus will be grafted onto the heavenly family tree that never dies. 

While we are grieved beyond comprehension that a person close to our heart is gone from here, we can be assured that the day will come when we will join them.  All of this is a reality when we trust Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.

Philippians 3:20-21  New Living Translation

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.  And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior.  He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control.