

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4
Myrtha was at a friend's home in Port-au-Prince when the earthquake came. The home she was in shook; then, it collapsed. Myrtha was swept into a hole along with two of her friend's children. The children died, and Myrtha was trapped in that grave for three days.
Her family mourned. Her cousin in New York mourned. Friends who saw TV coverage that showed Myrtha's home assumed she had been killed. But Myrtha was not killed. She was rescued, hospitalized and, eventually, her picture was shown. Myrtha was among the living.
When Myrtha's family found out, they rejoiced and called Myrtha at a phone in her hospital. Their joy was turned to sorrow when they were told she had lost a leg in the accident.
That's when the family began to cry.
Hearing the weeping, Myrtha said, " . . . listen to me: Don't cry. Where I was, it was the worst thing ever."
Did you get that picture? Someone who had been in the hell of Haiti was telling people in America not to cry.
According to the apostle John, that's what the Lord is going to do for us in heaven.
Centuries ago, Jesus Christ was born one of us. As one of us, He resisted the devil's temptations; He fulfilled the Law; He suffered, died, and descended into hell. Three days after His murder, a living Christ -- a risen Christ -- showed the entire world that even death had been defeated.
Now, the ascended Savior welcomes into heaven all who acknowledge Him as Savior and Lord.
And if you're wondering what heaven will be like, it will be like this: Jesus will wipe away every tear from our eyes, "and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
To all of us, to all of our hurting hearts, Jesus will say, as Myrtha did: "Don't cry."
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, as You look upon this sinful planet, You must grieve. You came to save us, to forgive us, to wipe away our tears. Even though You died and gave Your all, so many do not believe. Lord, be with them, call them to faith. Let them see Your heaven that awaits -- Your heaven where all tears will be wiped away. In Your Name, I ask it. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Genesis 27-28 Matthew 18:21-35
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