A Wise Act
The Bible says: “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart” (Eccl 7:2). Visiting the sick in a hospital is no fun thing. Besides facing the possibility of catching some virus, the mood in a hospital can be very depressing. This contrasts that of the mood that surrounds a marriage feast or party: It is merry. Yet this Bible text says that it is more beneficial to attend a funeral than a wedding feast. The reason: you will receive wisdom. When you understand deeply the sorrow attached with death and the reality of death, you will be wakened to reality and understand that you will one day die too.
Then you will begin to live wisely. This is evidenced by many who after their brush with death, their lives change: They stop wasting time, love their loved ones more dearly, became humbler, or for Christians, they become more faithful to the Lord. Hence, it is more beneficial to attend funerals, visit the sick and the needy than to have fun.
A Blessed Act
One day, the Lord will return to judge us. It will be a day of eternal loss for some and a day of eternal reward for some. But what is the standard of judgment? Jesus told a parable (Matt 25:31-46) where a King returned to judge His people. He punished some because He said that when they saw the King in need, they did not care for Him. “But when was that?” they asked. The King replied that it was when they saw the most unimportant brother who was in need of visitation, clothes and food, they did not care for Him. The King also rewarded some because He said that when they saw the King in need, they cared for him. “But when was that?” they asked. The King replied that it was when they saw the most unimportant brother who was in need of visitation, clothes and food, they cared for him. It was by loving that most unimportant brother that they demonstrated that they loved the King and hence your Lord Jesus Christ. For that, you will be rewarded. You are blessed.
An elderly brother once wisely said to me: “It may be alright not to attend wedding feasts, but you must attend funerals.” This is a time when they need you most. Surely there will come a time when you need the comfort of others too.
Paul exhorts us: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do goodto all people, especially to those who belong to the familyof believers” (Gal 6:10). Dear all, we are not strangers to one another but brothers and sisters in our Heavenly Father’s family. Let us learn to care for and love one another. We thank God for the various fellowship groups. Do come and join these groups. Through them, you can fellowship with others and receive encouragement and support.