Death is Defeated (Isaiah 25:8)

He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. - Isaiah 25:8

After He rose from the dead, Jesus walked the road to Emmaus with two disciples. At one point during this walk, Luke tells us that Jesus opened up the true meaning of the Scriptures to them – He revealed where the coming Messiah had been foretold throughout the Law and Prophets.

While we do not know precisely which passages He discussed on that walk, this verse in Isaiah is certainly a possibility.

With His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus Christ indeed "swallowed up death forever." He did not just snap His fingers and cause it to cease, but rather He took it upon Himself. He endured death on behalf of all mankind.

We all deserve death, for that is the wages of our sin. But Jesus Christ, who did not deserve to die, stood in our place and took upon Himself the reproach of the people in order to free us from the curse of death that we were bound to.

He revealed to us what true love looks like – to lay down one's life for another. To die so that someone else might live.

This world is a world of suffering. Yes there is much beauty around us, but it can be difficult to enjoy when there is also so much suffering and brokenness all around us.

We are not supposed to close our eyes to this suffering. Nor are we supposed to try to escape it. But rather, we are called to hand it over to God who alone is able to bear it.

We must hold on to the hope that has been given to us – that He will indeed wipe away all tears from the earth.

In the meantime we must be found faithful to the mission we have been assigned. There is no time to waste. We have all eternity to enjoy leisure and be entertained. For now, we must answer the call on our lives. We must prepare the way for the Lord to return, for this is the only thing that will bring suffering to an end once and for all.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people,

and he will dwell with them.

They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

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 21:3-4