Richard Baxter felt the unwanted invasion and deep heartache that only death can deliver when his wife Margaret passed away.  He described it as being “under the power of melting grief.”  J.I. Packer noted that Baxter’s use of the word “melting” perfectly captures the effect of being grief-stricken. He said, “a half-numb apathy, frequently alternating with bouts of tears, sets in.”  Grief, even the power of melting grief, afflicts Christians when their loved ones fall asleep in Jesus. But we do not, as Paul says, grieve as other people do because we are able to grieve as those who have hope.

Hope! Christian Hope!  So then, what is this Christian hope that Christians have for themselves and their loved ones? Our hope is that we will not be alone when we die. Thomas Brooks, in a funeral sermon entitled "A Believer’s Last Day is his Best Day," says to consider “that the Lord will not leave you but be with you in that hour.”  One of the most common exhortations that God gives to us in the Scriptures is “Do not fear.” Over and over again we are told to not be afraid. This is by far God’s most frequent command. The reason we don’t have to be afraid is because God promises to be with us always. He promises to never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)   The moment we die is no exception. It is not as if Christ by His Spirit is with us in life but forsakes us when we die. No!  Psalm 23:4, says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Jesus  will be with us and He will hold our hand when we take our last breath. There is no need for us to fear death.  Christians are truly never alone at death.  That’s the Christian Hope.  

Thomas H. Ramsey (1905-1997) captured this truth in his hymn "I Won’t Have to Cross Jordan Alone."

When I come to the river at the ending of day                                                      When the last winds of sorrow have blown
There'll be somebody waiting to show me the way                                                      I won't have to cross Jordan alone

I won't have to cross Jordan alone
Jesus died all my sins to atone
In the darkness I see
He'll be waiting for me
I won't have to cross Jordan alone