what about heaven?

1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3

It's interesting to note that when Jesus came, the disciples were frightfully naïve about heaven. One might assume that having been schooled in Judaism they would have a keen understanding of the world to come. Yet their thoughts of a future paradise focused on the dream that a messiah would overthrow the Roman occupation, establish his rule on earth, and restore Israel to its former glory. It was not heaven there, but heaven here, that they anticipated.

In fact, the whole religious environment of Jesus' day minimized the thought of heaven. One of the major religious groups was the Sadducees. They were wealthy materially, which made even the thought of heaven superfluous, and their theology actually denied the resurrection and the thought of an afterlife. Both their theology and their affluence made heaven unnecessary. The Pharisees, on the other hand, affirmed the reality of a life to come. Yet, as one writer observed, “They were primarily concerned with the ritual dimension of Judaism."

Given these prevailing religious attitudes, it's no wonder that the disciples' view of heaven was dim. As such, it brought confusion to their hearts about Jesus' mission and anxiety within their souls when he told them he was leaving.

But all that changed after the resurrection and ascension. Heaven was real and compelling to the early church. The believers could endure the flame of the fire and the torture of hungry lions, because they knew that better things were yet to come—that this was indeed what Thomas Hobbes was later to call the “nasty, brutish, and short” world. The idea that heaven was “far better” (Philippians 1:23) was a realization that enabled them to hold life loosely here and live for Jesus regardless of the cost. And, as John said, living in the hope of seeing Jesus face-to-face motivated them to purity in their lives.

To this day, affluence and a preoccupation with worldly rules and rituals dim our view of heaven. It's only when heaven is in full view that our lives start functioning as they should. —Joe Stowell

seeking: Jesus, how have these thoughts on heaven drawn me to you? What will it mean for me to experience the fullness of your glory one day?

responding: Is heaven in clear view for me on a regular basis? • If it were, what difference would it make?

Lord Jesus, I want to live my life with heaven in full view today. I pray that the things of this world will not dim my view, but rather that I will be motivated by the reality of eternity. In Jesus' name, amen.

following: We will see Jesus face-to-face one day.

our journey