Death is a reality we all face, yet for many of us, it’s a subject filled with fear, uncertainty, and pain. So how do we face death, walk through grief, and find peace when we lose someone we love? In John 11, Jesus meets Martha in the middle of her grief after the death of her brother, Lazarus. Through this powerful encounter, we discover that Jesus doesn’t ask us to ignore our pain or pretend that grief doesn’t hurt. Instead, He meets us in our sorrow and reminds us of the hope we have in Him. For those who belong to Jesus, death is not the end of the story. Because He is the resurrection and the life, we can grieve with hope, live with confidence, and look forward to the day when God will make all things new. One day, there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. Until then, we are called to love one another, walk alongside those who are hurting, and help one another find our way home. Death is not the end of the story. It’s just the beginning of being home.