I keep thinking about heaven,
what it may be like there and wondering what Jane may be doing… right now. Of
course I’ve written about this before, but I have reason to dwell just a little
longer. I need clearer vision of Jane’s reality today in order to more surely
deal with the trauma of yesterday. In some ways the 4 years of her cancer
journey were the most complete of my life, almost as if they were what I was
born for, but though the pain of loss is easing it will only truly pass as I
embrace my new life. As Jane has hers, a fact I can barely grasp. So, anyway what
is heaven like?
My photo shows Jane with our
eldest grandkids back in 2004 and typifies a massively favourite activity for
them all. Indeed even this last week the two girls were again asking for paper
to draw on. They’re into graffiti as an art-form now. I cannot imagine heaven
without creative art to add a personal touch by those so inclined, so that’s a
given. And leaving aside the especially busy years spent caring for our young children Jane always
had a pencil or brush in her hand, so given the slightest opportunity I’m sure
that’s what she’s up to. But the Bible gives not the slightest suggestion that
there will be children to enjoy, indeed marriage itself is no longer. So I
struggle to get a handle on that, but there you go, the Lord has something
better for us I’m sure. And no way will there be an empty space to fill.
So what does the Bible
actually reveal about our time in eternity? Very few details unfortunately. But
a couple times just recently I’ve had the story of a poor man called Lazarus (copied
below) put across my path and this seems to give a real glimpse of the
afterlife. This story was told by Jesus which makes it particular noteworthy.
Some suggest it is only a parable. I don’t get that for a number of reasons… it
would be the only parable to name names including historical figures, and it
describes a realm beyond earthly reality, the places where the dead go to. Would the Lord ever mislead us? This
story is also told quite plainly with no explanation or qualification. It is
what it is. Ok so after Jesus himself died he paid a visit to one of these
places and some sort of transformation occurred, but we can still draw lessons
from the story. And I’d like to focus upon a future in heaven rather than the alternate
of eternal punishment. That’s for another time and all to do with our decision
to accept or deny the claims of Christ. But it’s clear that Lazarus suffered
greatly in his earthly life and subsequently was comforted. It’s also clear
that the rich man remembered his family and was concerned for their eternal wellbeing.
Jane suffered immensely with physical problems for many years compounded with
terminal cancer. She had to leave her beloved family behind and never saw her
hard earned career qualification put into practise. There was so much she still
planned to do. Despite the perfection of paradise I reckon she’s needed quite a
bit of comforting and I really don’t see a ‘brain-wipe’ as standard procedure
on entry to heaven! Then of course she must be as interested in our unfolding
lives as she ever has been as well. Maybe she can see only as much of our world
as we can see of heaven. Maybe she cringes as I put yet one more frozen pizza
into the oven and sees everything. Doesn’t matter. She’ll never stop praying
anyway. And that’s what the Lord is doing right now for each one of us.
Luke 16:19-31 (NLT)
Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich
man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day
in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who
was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing
for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open
sores.
22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried
by the angels to be with Abraham.[a] The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and
his soul went to the place of the dead.[b] There, in torment, he saw Abraham in
the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have
some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and
cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’
25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that
during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So
now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And
besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you
from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’
27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father
Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I
have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this
place of torment.’
29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets
have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham!
But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their
sins and turn to God.’
31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to
Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Footnotes:
- Luke 16:22 Greek into Abraham’s
bosom.
- Luke 16:23 Greek to Hades.
No comments:
Post a Comment