SO, did you experience the moment? You know which moment, don't you? It's one of those moments that will never happen again. Early Sunday morning, at four seconds and three minutes after two o'clock in the morning, on the fifth month, the sixth day of the year two thousand and seven, the exact time and date were recorded as - are you ready for this - 02/03/04/05/06/07. Now I suppose that's pretty amazing, if that sort of thing amazes you. And people say that moment will never happen again in human history. But that's not surprising, since none of the moments we live in will ever happen again. Any moment gone can never happen again. It can be re-called, but never again re-lived.

         During the month of May, I often think of the old ones in my family. May had many birthdays and funerals of the grandparents, aunts and uncles. It's always good to remember loved ones who are gone, at least once a year. Perhaps that's why some people still observe Memorial Day on the last Monday of this month.

         The people of my parent's generation, immigrants every one of them, had personalities so very unique. Uncle Karl bragged a lot and Uncle Ernest drank a lot. Aunt Marie cried often, and Aunt Emma complained often. Mom was always smiling, but Aunt Esther never smiled. Uncle Rheinhold never stopped talking while Uncle Paul sat there in stony silence. Uncle Ervin was poor and Uncle Bill had money, but the great thing is that they all got along. And that was good because they all belonged to the same church back there in rural southern Minnesota.

         But they're all gone now. And looking back, we see now how each one left an imprint on us. The old ones are gone, and now those of my generation are the old ones, and my children and their cousins are being imprinted with the personalities of my generation. And I only hope they can say something good about us, as they look back years from now.

         Today's Bible text says in Revelation special words that have brought some measure of comfort to countless generations. It says, "There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

         Whether it's the loss of a loved one or loss of ones health, whether it's the breakup of a marriage or breaking a leg, we all at times have reasons to weep. There's a myth that real men don't cry. Of course men cry - they just don't like to have others see them do it. In times of sadness women will weep, but men will become angry. After Mom died, Dad would sometimes chase us out of his room if he knew tears were coming. He wasn't hiding them; he just wanted to be left alone with them.

         But praise God the day is coming when there'll be no more tears! "No More Tears" is today's worship theme. Years ago, Johnson & Johnson's Baby Shampoo made that motto a household phrase. If you got their shampoo in your eyes, it wouldn't sting. It has to do with chemistry, I'm told, so that when the soap has the right Ph balance, it will keep our eyes from stinging, from tearing up and becoming red. Wouldn't it be great if we'd so simply be able to get the Ph balance in our lives so that we'd all have "No More Tears"?

         Some folks believe they already have. They think if we educate people right, life will be so good there'll be no more tears. But life will always give us something to cry about. There are tears of joy after childbirth, and tears of relief after victory, as well as tears at the death of a loved one, or tears of injustice from war, tears of nostalgia over the past or tears when we lose our self-respect. So long as we live in this world of sin, there will always be tears. Blaming others will never keep away the pain life often brings us. Only God can wipe away our tears.

         Carol and I attended last week the spring pastor's conference at St. Malo retreat center near Estes Park. The attendance was sparse, but we all took home some good information about growth - physical growth, intellectual growth, social and spiritual growth. Each year District President Randy Golter comes and usually brings his wife Elizabeth. But this year she stayed home. He told us last week while exercising she dropped a 45 lb. weight on her foot! Ouch!, we all thought, just as I'm sure that's what you all thought for just a moment. I once broke my little toe and the mere thought of dropping that kind of weight on her toes makes me cringe. I am sure Elizabeth had many tears. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

         In today's Gospel Jesus told His disciples, "Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going."

         In about a month, you and I will be saying goodbye. Leave-taking is never easy. I don't like goodbyes - few of us do. It's not that one of us is dying, or that we may never see each other again. That sort of thing can happen over night, in an instant. A traffic accident or heart attack can separate us in this world. I think we don't like saying goodbye because we grow to love certain people, those who have become part of our regular lives. When something happens to change our life, to alter what we have come to depend upon, it can cause pain. It's been nearly 14 months since I announced my intent to retire and I really wish at times I'd not told you so far ahead of time. Those months have become long. Few will know how often I have grieved over this pending separation, with a lump in the throat and also with tears. But at such times tears are good, for they show what we value. I'd venture to say there are probably more sighs of relief when a pastor leaves, than tears. Farewells can last too long, and we need get on with re-adjustment and recovery. Waiting for the end can be harder than the end itself. But how can we ever know of such things if we have never gone through them? Leave-taking is usually not easy.

         Do you remember the times in the Bible when Jesus wept? The time we most often recall is when He wept at the tomb of His friend Lazarus, perhaps due to sadness, or maybe just because He saw other people weeping. That's a human thing, you know, to weep when we see others do. Never be ashamed of your tears, whether of sadness or of sympathy or of joy. The ability to weep is a good part of what makes us truly human. Tears are helpful, for they clear our eyes and help settle our emotions far better than anything a doctor can prescribe. Our tears always help us see life more clearly, and they often bless those who see us cry.

         Jesus wept when He saw the hardness of heart among His people. He wept over Jerusalem when its people rejected Him, and, though we don't know for sure, perhaps Jesus still weeps when He sees the rejection of the world today. Christ is sad when the innocent suffer or when people abandon Him for the shallow delights of the world. He also knows the heartbreak and sadness of unrequited love. St. Paul told us to "rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn." (Romans 12:15) Of course, that's easier said than done.

         But thanks be to God that one day there'll be no more tears. Though here on earth there will be sadness, it will not be so when we are with the Lord. One day, St. John said, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

         Almighty God washes us clean in the blood of the Lamb, His Son Jesus Christ. St. John also wrote, "The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." (1 John 1:7) Old Testament ritual laws required a sacrifice for the sins of people, and Jesus was that complete and perfect sacrifice. He fulfilled that requirement once and for all by shedding His blood on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. No longer must any person or any animal be sacrificed to remove sins. It's all been done, paid in full. And so John the Baptist said Jesus is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29) All who trust Him in faith are granted eternal life with the saints.

         Some of you may remember the Sunday seven years ago while we were still worshipping in the Drinkwine Mortuary Chapel, the Sunday morning we discovered there was a body lying in state in one of the back rooms. That was a memorable moment that caused everyone to stay awake during the sermon! After the service I asked an usher what our attendance was. "Seventy-four," he said, "not counting the guy in the other room." So that Sunday, Epiphany's official record shows our attendance was "74 souls and one body."

         All who trust in Jesus will be in heaven one day. These days it's easy to neglect God. We work long hours and make incredible sacrifices to survive in today's world. We're not home as much as we should be. Unexpected tragedy strikes us more often than we wish. Fire, war, unemployment, disease, bad relationships and rebellious children all gang up to make us wonder if we can handle life at all. It's vital to balance work and family, the secular and the sacred. We must leave room for worship and prayer. Living only to work and make money is a hard life, one that will bring tears of regret. Losing a home, a job or a loved one robs us of peace and joy. We must all take care not to forget the important things, the things of faith and love, of memories and loved ones, of Jesus Christ and His salvation by faith.

         May God who gives us life, also give us faith and love, as we approach our time of leave-taking. May we all give thanks for all who have left their mark on us - relatives, neighbors, friends, pastors, teachers - for they have left us far more good than bad. May God in His mercy grant that we may join all the believers one day in glory, before His heavenly throne, where there will be no more problems, or foolishness, no more death or hardship, no more sadness or misery, and especially "No More Tears." And what a day that will be! Amen

Copyright © 2007 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.

 

Sermon Archives

 
 

 

Credits:
 
  Epiphany logo designed and provided by Dale Bargmann at daleb@ecentral.com