And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Reader! let us pause over this verse, for it is a refreshing one. What a happy climate this must be? Contrast it to the present state. Then look to Jesus, who hath purchased for us such vast mercies. Depend upon it, there is more of Jesus, even in the least of our common blessings, than we are aware of. The thorns of this world, are all the inheritance which sin left us. Therefore, whenever a thorn is taken out, whenever any ease or mitigation to sorrow is found, it is Jesus who is the purchaser of those blessings. How little is this thought of by men? I do not mean men of the world, for how shall carnal, unawakened men think of Jesus, who know not themselves? But I am speaking of the Lord's people. And yet, what a double sweetness would this thought, when coming warm to the mind, put into the enjoyment of every blessing? This is the fruit, and effect of Jesus's love. I wish any child of God, that reads this short observation when I am no more, may, through grace, feel his heart led out to the consideration of it. All blessings, all mercies, are the fruits and effects of Jesus's love, and very blessed it is to eye Jesus in them. I make a nice distinction between the most precious blessing, and Jesus himself, the Giver of that blessing. It is blessed, yea, very blessed, to receive the gifts of Jesus as his gifts. But it is a thousand times more blessed, to know, and enjoy Jesus himself in those gifts, as the love tokens of his heart, from whence they come. To love him is blessed, but to be beloved by him in infinitely more blessed. This is the cause, the other is the effect. He it is it is said, that will wipe away all tears from the eyes of his people. This is blessed. But wherefore he doth it, is more so. Because he loves them and they are beloved by him. This is the coronet of the whole. This the head of all blessedness.