Whenever a celebrity dies, the internet lights up with Christian folks encouraging other Christian folks to keep their faith to themselves. We’re told that it’s a courtesy to leave grieving people alone.

The Christian faith has a lot to say on the subject of death. Of course, most of what the Bible says regarding death contradicts cultural wisdom so when a famous person dies, Christians should just shut up. I’m supposed to give people time to “process, cry & pray” before I give them the tools to help make sense of their grief.

Baloney.

People are tuned toward spiritual things when death occurs. Folks who usually only think about NBA stats and team rankings are suddenly talking about the meaning of life. Kobe Bryant has got us thinking about eternity. Perhaps there is a purpose in the tragedy…?

I’ll be honest, Kobe’s death doesn’t impact me personally. I didn’t know him. I don’t know anyone related to him. I don’t know any of his friends. I’m not even a basketball fan. In every way, Kobe and I are strangers to each other. If I had died first, he wouldn’t have even heard about it because I’m not famous.

Is Kobe’s death more significant because he’s famous? From a Christian perspective, no. Fame is important to people, not to God. Kobe Bryant was created in the image of God, just like me, you, and all the other people we’ve never heard of who also died on January 26th, 2020.

That being said, I can sympathize with Kobe’s family and friends. I know what it feels like when someone you love dies. I understand the need to “process”. The Christian faith has a lot to say about death. Compassion demands I try to offer some help with the processing.

Paul wrote something while he was in prison that is the opposite of what I’m supposed to say to grieving people:

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.

Phillipians 1:21

When you’re a Christian, you’re better off dead. Paul is ‘hard-pressed’ to choose since he knows he’ll be with Christ when he dies but he has obligations to fulfill on Earth. There isn’t any evidence that Paul sees his death as a tragedy to be mourned. In fact, he says as much in Thessalonians:

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13

I don’t know if Kobe Bryant was a Christian and the question is irrelevant now. Christians believe that God is the perfect judge. He will deal with everyone correctly, fairly, and lovingly. That message is completely appropriate during times of intense grief. Truth is never the wrong move.

“Those who have no hope” will remain hopeless when Christians think we can “give hope by showing them empathy.” Giving empathy is the same as giving nothing. Christians know who holds the power of life and death. It is unspeakably evil to stand by and watch people grieve without hope.

God knows when sparrows fall from the sky. He knows when helicopters crash. He knew Kobe before Kobe was born. From our perspective, death is an ending. It makes us sad that things are never going to be the same. Grief is natural and appropriate. We have lost a cherished relationship. Shed tears and say prayers.

From God’s perspective, nothing has changed. The Bible teaches that God will gather those in Christ to Him. That promise is how Christians have hope even as they mourn. There is no good reason to keep it to yourself.