t
it must talk, and must talk about our sorrow. It feels that it must go
over all the details, questioning us until it seems as if our heart
would break with answering. Our friends think that they must explore
with us all the depths of our grief, dwelling upon the elements that
are specially poignant. The result of all this "comforting" is that
our burden of sorrow is made heavier instead of lighter, and we are
less brave and strong than before to bear it. If we would be truly
comforted we would better flee away to Christ; for in his presence we
shall find consolation, which gives peace and strength and joy.

It is worth our while to note the comfort which Jesus gave to these
sorrowing sisters. First, he lifted the veil, and gave them a glimpse
of what lies beyond death. "Thy brother shall rise again." "I am the
resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet
shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never
die." Thus he opened a great window into the other world. It is
plainer to us than it could be to Martha and Mary; for a little while
after he spoke these words, Jesus himself passed through death, coming
again from the grave in immortal life. It is a wonderful comfort to
those who sorrow over the departure of a Christian friend to know the
true teaching of the New Testament on the subject of dying. Death is
not the end; it is a door which leads into fulness of life.

Perhaps many in bereavement, though believing the doctrine of a future
resurrection, fail to get present comfort from it. Jesus assured
Martha that her brother should rise again. "Yes, I know that he shall
rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Her words show that
this hope was too distant to give her much comfort. Her sense of
present loss outweighed every other thought and feeling. She craved
back again the companionship she had lost. Who that has stood by the
grave of a precious friend has not experienced the same feeling of
inadequateness in the consolation that comes from even the strongest
belief in a far-off rising again of all who are in their graves?

The reply of Jesus to Martha's hungry heart-cry was very rich in its
comfort. "I am the resurrection." This is one of the wonderful
present tenses of Christian hope. Martha had spoken of a resurrection
far away. "I am the resurrection," Jesus declared. It was something
present, not remote. His words embrace the whole ble