Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Scripture

“He will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever.” Isaiah 25:7-8a

Reflections

In biblical times, dead bodies were wrapped in a grave cloth, a shroud.

Isaiah paints the picture of death like a shroud that is “cast over all peoples”.  The reality of death is something that hangs over the heads of everyone.  There is nothing we can do to make it go away.  Like it or not, it comes.

Isaiah also paints a picture of a future hope.  It’s a picture of the Lord destroying that shroud.  Someday that grave cloth will be no more.  Death will be swallowed up forever.

In some Christian churches, it is common to make use of a piece of fabric to cover a coffin.  The piece of fabric is called a pall.  Normally, the fabric is white.  It stands as a reminder of the words from Isaiah 61:10, “He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.”

We look to Christ Jesus.  He is our righteousness.  We see a child received in baptism, clothed in white, the righteousness of Christ.  We look to a coffin covered in white and we see hope.  Christ was raised from the dead.  We share in the same promise.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for your eternal promises.  Help me to live this day with the bigger picture in view.  Help me to never lose sight of that hope.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Isaiah 25:1-9