1. Leviticus 21:12 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

How does proper mourning relate to the New Testament believer?

Leviticus 21:12 (ESV)

12 He shall not go out of the sanctuary, lest he profane the sanctuary of his God, for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is on him: I am the LORD.

According to the New Testament, Jesus has taken the sting out of death by his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:55. Death is still a time of sadness for those who remain, but the resurrection assures us that believers who die, do not die in vain (1 Corinthians 15:16–20). As a result, Christians are not to grieve as others do who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13), for when Christ returns he will bring with him all believers who have fallen asleep.