Heaven On Earth

"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."

John 17:3

Growing up I believed the goal of being a Christian was so that you could go to heaven when you die. After all, when I went to a funeral as a young boy and years before I became a follower of Jesus most of the people who spoke at memorial services spoke about heaven as being a place where people go when they die and then do all the things that they had once enjoyed while here on earth or wished to do but never did. Admittedly, heaven seemed to be merely a destination, a "place" that resembled a heavenly version of Disneyland minus the long lines and high prices.  

What I have learned all these years later is that Heaven is heaven because Jesus is there! The whole purpose of our salvation is so that we can enjoy a relationship with God that was lost at the fall of Adam an Eve in the Garden of Eden. We are saved for a relationship with God Himself and is why we are called the "bride of Christ" and not "articles" or "items." It's why Jesus calls His disciples friends because life with God is all about a relationship. Yes, it's true that Jesus is in heaven right now preparing a place for each and every one of us who have repented of our sins and set our heart to know and follow Him. Yes, it’s true that Jesus Christ is seated in heaven at this very moment praying for you and me and yes Jesus is there in heaven representing us as our advocate before the Father when we sin. We are always on His mind!

Have you ever longed to see someone? If so, you don't worry so much about the location where you will meet, what you long for is seeing them face-to-face. That's how it is with Jesus. Heaven is a real place but heaven is heaven because Jesus is there! Heaven is really about seeing Jesus face to face, to be reunited with the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. Yes, beloved of God, heaven is a person and that person is Jesus Christ, and not just a destination to be reached. Jesus is a relationship to be enjoyed, enjoyed every day, a day like today! Think about it like heaven on earth!  


"And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: " Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!"

Revelation 5:13

I LOVE YOU!

Michael Osthimer

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