Goodbyes

by Chadwick Brewer

“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).

Rotten, awful, very bad, no good goodbyes. Unfortunately, goodbyes are a part of our everyday lives. They often accompany getting a new job, moving to a new house or town, starting at a new school, or beginning a new chapter in life. It seems that in this world, many of the great adventures and fresh beginnings are tinged with sadness because of the goodbyes that must be said.

Sometimes goodbyes are meant to be temporary, but they end up lasting much longer than expected, sometimes for the rest of our lives. Far too often, goodbyes are one-sided, spoken to someone who will never be on this plane again. When that final curtain drops and the veil is drawn, it is the great tragedy of life; the end that should not have been. On the one hand, it is the most natural thing of all, since it happens to everyone. On the other hand, it is the most unnatural catastrophe.

Jesus came as a forerunner to conquer death and the grave, so that the most unnatural enemy, death itself, would be vanquished. He has also gone before us to prepare an eternal abode, where there is no more parting and therefore no need for goodbyes. No more tears shed in sorrow at that rotten, awful, very bad, no good word.