If your house is anything like mine, tears are pretty much a daily occurance.
Sometimes it’s a stubbed toe. Sometimes it’s a sibling’s hurtful words. Sometimes it’s just ALL the emotions. And that’s just the adults! I’m joking…but we do have our fair share of tears in our home. And life itself has its fair share too.
Almost all those tears, or at least the tears of sadness, can be traced back to sin. Insults and disrespect tones are scattered in conversations. Physical hurts and injuries rack up. Loved ones pass away. Those are all consequences of the sin that corrupts our world and our souls.
But that sin and the tears that come with it won’t always be around.
The end of the last book of the Bible, Revelation, is a description of what it will be like when Jesus returns to finally and fully get rid of sin for good. And do you know what won’t be in the new heaven and new earth? Tears. Death. Pain. Those are part of this life, but they won’t be part of the new life Christians have through faith in Jesus. Looking forward to heaven and knowing what’s coming gives Christians hope even through all the tears we experience in this life.
“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.”
Revelation 21:4
Discussion Starters
- What kinds of things make people cry or feel sad? Why do you think those sad things happen in our world?
- What does God promise heaven will be like? Which part of that promise makes you the happiest, and why?
- How can remembering God’s promise about heaven help us when we’re hurting or sad today? What is one way we can encourage someone who is going through a difficult time?
