But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13)

Early Christians expected the imminent return of Jesus. So, when members of the Christian community in Thessalonica died, new Christians were confused about what they had been taught. Paul assured them that those who had died in Christ would be raised as Jesus was raised from the dead. We all grieve when we lose someone we love, but Christians have hope that death is not the end and that we will see our loved ones again. That is Easter hope. It is powerful. Easter hope has sustained many of us in the face of devastating losses and will continue to carry us until that day.

Dr. Sam