Written by Kate Powell 

Following Jesus means learning to live differently because His ways are not your ways. But following Jesus doesn’t just change how you live. It changes how you experience the world around you, how you face difficult circumstances, and even how you understand death. 

Last week, we were reminded that life in God’s Kingdom looks different from life in the world. The Apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to love more, live quietly, and work faithfully. As a follower of Jesus, you are called to live in a way that pleases God, rather than following the patterns of the world around you. 

This week, Paul turns your attention to another way life in Christ is different: how you face death and the grief that comes with it. 

Some believers in Thessalonica had died, and those who remained were worried. What would happen to their loved ones when Jesus returned? Would they miss out on His return because they had already died? 

Paul addresses their concerns in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14: 

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 

Paul doesn’t tell them not to grieve. He tells them not to grieve like those who have no hope. Grief is a natural response to losing someone you love. Even Jesus wept when His friend Lazarus died (John 11:35). Following Jesus doesn’t mean you won’t experience sadness or loss. But it does mean you have hope in the middle of it.  

Jesus died and rose again. Your hope isn’t wishful thinking. It isn’t based on your circumstances or how you feel. It is rooted in what Jesus has already done. 

Paul describes believers who have died as those who have “fallen asleep.” He isn’t saying they haven’t really died. He’s reminding you that death is not permanent for those who belong to Jesus. Just as sleep is followed by waking, death will be followed by resurrection. 

Think about that. Death is real. Grief is real. But because Jesus rose from the dead, you can know that death doesn’t have the final word. You can grieve the loss of someone you love while holding on to the promise that you will see those who belong to Jesus again.  

But Paul doesn’t stop there. He goes on to explain what will happen when Jesus returns and why those who have died in Christ won’t miss out. 

Paul continues in verses 15–17: 

15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 

Paul makes it clear that those who have died in Christ will not miss out on His return. In fact, they will rise first! Then, those who are still alive will join them to meet Jesus. Whether you are alive when Jesus returns or have already died, everyone who belongs to Him will be together.  

Paul ends verse 17 with the greatest promise of all: “And so we will be with the Lord forever.” As wonderful as it will be to reunite with those you love, the greatest promise is that you will be with Jesus forever. Because of Him, death is not the end of your story. 

Paul ends this passage with a simple instruction: 

18 “Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 

Paul doesn’t just give the Thessalonians these truths so they can understand what will happen when Jesus returns. He wants them to use these truths to encourage one another. 

The hope you have in Jesus isn’t just something you hold on to for yourself. It’s something you are called to share with others, especially those who are grieving or walking through difficult circumstances. 

So, who in your life needs to be reminded of this truth today? Who is walking through grief, loss, or a difficult season and needs the encouragement that only Jesus can give? 

Romans 15:13 reminds you where this hope comes from: 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” 

As you trust in your Heavenly Father, allow the hope He fills you with to overflow into the lives of those around you through the power of the Holy Spirit.