No More Tears

In the past week, we had two separate friends and a family member pass away. To say it’s been one of the toughest, emotional weeks of our lives is an understatement. I can’t remember when I’ve cried so much. As my wife and I were reflecting on each of their lives and how they had impacted ours, I said, “You’d think we’d run out of tears by now.” But no matter how many tears were shed, our bodies keep producing more. It makes me look forward to a time when tears will be no more.

I had to go find the scripture that I had heard all my life. I found it in Revelation 21:4. It says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” What a day that will be. We won’t have to cry over loved ones who die, because death will be defeated. I Corinthians 15:54-55 says, “And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the scripture that says, ‘Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished forever) in and unto victory. O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?'”

A friend of mine wrote on her Facebook wall, “The reality of pain let’s us know this is not our home.” For now, the pain is more than we can seem to bear. It feels like Death has won and we lost. But this victory is only a temporary victory. In the end, we know that Death is defeated. We can rest assured that when Jesus died on the cross, He took the keys of Death, Hell and the Grave as Revelation 1:18 tells us. He will not leave us in our sorrow forever, but he allows that pain to remind us that we are headed to our forever home to meet up with those who have gone on before.

Death is inevitable in life. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that it appointed unto man once to die. That’s the door we must walk through to get to the other side. Knowing that jesus holds the keys to that door brings some peace. Knowing that Death will not have the victory gives me hope. Knowing that one day I will see my friends and family again puts a smile on my face even while tears are running down my cheeks. The sting of Death feels all to real right now, but I know that my Redeemer lives and He has not failed me. He will wipe these tears away and bring the comfort we so desperately need. His peace passes all understanding and in the end, He wins the fight over Death.