All Saints Day

Today’s Reading: Revelation 7:2-17
Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 21:1-22

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. (Revelation 7:17)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Sometimes we try and hide them. Sometimes we try in vain to wipe them away. Still other times, we try and act tough: “I’m not crying; you’re crying.” But the truth is, we all have tears.

Tears of joy like Sarah laughing at the birth of Isaac, the outrageously gracious, unexpected son promised by the Lord. Tears of longing like the Israelite exiles weeping beside the rivers of Babylon. Tears of guilt, and sorrow, the kind that sting behind the eyes, like David mourning the death of his son. Tears of grief like our Lord wept at the tomb of Lazarus. We live in a vale of tears.

And yet with David, we find comfort in the God who knows our tossing, turning, and every one of our tears (Psalm 56:8).

With Isaiah we rejoice that the Lord will swallow up death forever, and wipe away tears from all our faces (Isaiah 25:6-9).

With St. John, we long for the day when we will see Jesus, our Shepherd, and the Lamb who reigns on the throne who will guide us to streams of living water, and will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 7:17).

And until that day, Jesus, who knows the every hair on our heads, also knows our every tear, sorrow, and grief. Jesus, who wept for us, promises to be with us in our weeping, too. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. -Rev. Samuel Schuldheisz

O sweet and blessed country, The home of God’s elect! O sweet and blessed country That faithful hearts expect! In mercy, Jesus, bring us To that eternal rest With You and God the Father And Spirit ever blest. (Jerusalem the Golden, LSB 672:4)

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