ZECHARIAH 12:11

“‘On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be great, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo.’”

Why do we mourn so severely when a loved one leaves this earth behind? If they are a believer, they are in the arms of their Savior where they wanted to be. We mourn because of our loss, not theirs. We don’t mourn for what they are missing here. We mourn because we no longer have them by our side. We miss their presence. We mourn the void that is left behind.

Today’s verse compares the mourning of Israel’s future Messiah’s death with the mourning that took place at the death of King Josiah, Judah’s most beloved king. The place mentioned, Hadadrimmon, is the location where Josiah was wounded in battle, a wound that would take his life. He was a great king because of his piety and love for the Lord. 2 Chronicles 35:25 tells us about this. “Then Jeremiah chanted a song of mourning for Josiah. And all the male and female singers speak about Josiah in their songs of mourning to this day.”

APPLICATION

When I think about mourning or grief, I can’t help but think about 1 Thessalonians 4:13. “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope.” O brothers and sisters, just look at that verse. Sure, we grieve over a loved one’s homegoing, but we rejoice also. We know where they are.

Similarly, our Messiah, who was crucified and buried, did not remain there. He is alive today. Our mourning over the death of our Lord is quickly eradicated by the joy we have in knowing He reigns eternally. His resurrection, His defeat of death, gives us the promise of eternal life.

We will mourn here on earth. There is no escaping that. But let us mourn with hope, knowing we will see our loved ones again, if they have placed their faith in Jesus. That behooves us to make sure they all know Him, right? Let’s be diligent to share Jesus with all people, especially those of our own household.

You turn my tears into laughter and my mourning into joy.