A Carolina wren family decided to build their home in a basket we have on our back porch. We watched the mom and dad going in and out with materials, carefully crafting what might be a starter home for their kids. Then after a time, sure enough, we heard “cheeps” sounding from the basket. But last week I went outside to re-pot a calla lily, and lying on a stone near the basket was a wren baby gasping for breath. I could do nothing about it and have no idea just how he arrived there. But after a few moments, the little bird died. Yes, it was sad. And yes, it brought to mind our Lord Jesus’ words, “…not a sparrow will fall to the ground without the Father…” (Matthew 10:29)

God the Father knows of death. And it is our Divine Parent’s desire and intent to swallow death up. In fact, the Holy One has a banquet planned—more sumptuous than we could ever imagine. Because there in that day the LORD will destroy this shroud that has been cast over us by death. The fears and frustrations, the tears and terrors that many of us have faced when death has visited us so closely will be no more. Whether through a loved one’s long illness or from a sudden and shocking loss, we know this predator all too well.

But the prophet Isaiah declares the Lord our God will come, swallowing up death and wiping away our tears. Even as we are promised in Revelation 21, here in the recesses of Isaiah’s words, where there is gloom all around, we receive good news. Tears are real, to be sure, but there is a God who comes—who will finally swallow up death and wipe our tears away.

In the meantime, and it indeed can be a mean time, we know through the resurrection of Jesus the Christ that the declaration of the prophet is sure and true. He has even provided for us a foretaste of that marvelous feast that the Divine Caterer will one day set for us. And as we receive that foretaste at our Lord’s command, he gives us strength to live and serve each day with hope.