Yesterday I saw a post on Facebook; a post I had hoped to never see. A wonderful friend of mine lost her daughter to cancer. As I read the post, my heart was overcome with grief for the family. Today, three children mourn the loss of their mom, a husband mourns the loss of his wife; a mom and dad mourn the death of a daughter.

There are no words of comfort that can fill the empty hole created by death. I remember the day my daddy passed away from cancer. Surrounded by family, he exhaled his last breath and peacefully left this world. The finality of what I just witnessed was not yet realized; that would only happen over time.

Whenever I see a hospital gurney, I am reminded of a warm September day when death visited our house and forever changed our lives.

We were given four years to digest the prognosis of his Stage IV diagnosis; but no matter how much time you have to prepare, no one is ever ready for a loved one to succumb to their last breath. I am sure this was true for my friend and her family.

I wonder what emotions God felt when Jesus died.

Scripture is clear that Jesus came to earth as both God and man united in one divine Person. As the Son of man, Jesus showed emotions. Jesus wept when His friend, Lazarus, died and also as He drew near the city of Jerusalem for the last time. We also know He showed anger and felt pain. But what about God, the creator of the universe, does He have emotions?

When sin separated God from His only Son, was He heart broken? When Jesus drew his last breath on the cross and ascended into the darkness of hell to redeem us; did God cry tears in His human form? I may never know the answers to those questions in this life, but there is one emotion God clearly demonstrated when His son died; that was love.

“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.” John 3: 16 NIRV

I am thankful my daddy and my friend’s daughter believed in Jesus. In their death they were gifted eternal life. Not everyone is given the opportunity to prepare for death. Death can visit any one of us in an instant. Don’t let sin separate you from the eternal love of God the Father.

I pray you choose to believe in Jesus. After death, it’s too late.

“If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve… yourself or God.” Joshua 24:15