3-16-2017

       Good Morning All,

        Revelations 7:17; “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

      God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  We’ve all been there.  At some point in time we have wiped away a tear from another person.  Maybe it was a small child who skinned a knee or had a toy that broke.  Sometimes all it takes is a kiss on the sore from mom or grandma or finding a different toy or just getting them to do something else will make the tears stop flowing.

     Sometimes it takes a little more.  If they are sick and don’t feel well sometimes it takes a blanket and a rocking chair and someone to hold them close.  Sometimes it takes a lot of patience especially if you are dealing with an infant who can’t tell you where they hurt or why; sometimes you don’t think you will ever be able to do it. 

     It seems to get harder as our children get older.  That kiss on the skinned knee followed by some fresh cookies just doesn’t seem to work as well when the tears flow over a boyfriend or girlfriend who decided there were better fish in the sea.  When they struggle with school work and no matter how hard they work it just doesn’t come easily. 

    It gets tougher as you wipe away a tear from someone who is burying a loved one.  You know the pain and the fear they feel but they don’t always want to listen right now.  Sometimes it is your tears which flow as you feel your pain or a friend’s pain and the pat answers just sound hollow.  It can get tough when people want answers and you don’t have any clear answers.  Why did I get cancer?  Why does he have to suffer so?  Sometimes all you can do is to wipe away their tears.

     Through it all, we must always remember that we are just the care givers which God uses to offer earthly comfort.  God is the ultimate cure giver.  That is what this verse is about.  We can only wipe away the tears after they fall.  God will stop them from having to fall.  Every tear will be wiped away never to fall again.  The joy which God promises us is so far beyond anything that we can conceive of.  We will be led to the springs of living water never to thirst again.  We are told that there will be no pain, no sorrow, and no sadness in heaven.  Those who have gone before us are living in God’s total glory.  There are no more tears to wipe away.

     So we wait, knowing that God has made the same promise to us that He kept to them.  This is why we, as the Church, look forward to the return of Jesus and an end to all pain and suffering; an end to all tears.  God comforts us through the human hands of the believers around us.  As sainted sinners, we sometimes fall short but God continues to give us peace through his Word and Sacrament.  He calls us to hear his Words of comfort and to have those tears wiped away until the time when they will be wiped away permanently.      

 Father of all mercies, you hold us tenderly as a mother holds a newborn child.  You guard and protect us.  Keep us in your care and wipe away all our tears.  Guide us to be your hands as we offer comfort and help to those around who are in need of your special care.  In Jesus precious name we pray, amen

God’s Peace,

Bret