Heaven on Earth
Reflections on John 11:17-27
“Jesus said to her,
“I am the resurrection and the life.
Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this Martha?” John11:25&26
During this Lenten season and now through Holy Week, many thoughts and feelings have been felt. I can’t tell you what they are because the experiences are unique to each person. You could share yours with me and I to you; they reflect the relationship we have with Jesus and God his Father. If you have done the work on reflecting on your life with him, the Easter celebration will be a spiritual experience for you. If you haven’t or don’t believe in the promises through the ages from God, then chances will be you won’t.
Martha was disturbed that Jesus had not arrived in time to prevent her brother Lazarus from dying. Her heart was grieved that she wanted to be alone to mourn her brother. Jesus asked her if she believed in the Messiah and if her brother would live again? She made a strong confession that he would. That is when Jesus told her he was the resurrection and the life, even a person dies physically they will not die spiritually. What is spiritual death? Being separated from God forever. What is spiritual life, being connected to God forever; this is known as eternal life.
There is a surprising twist to receiving eternal life. The Apostle Paul speaks about the process of receiving eternal life while we are physically alive. He speaks about this in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” What he is talking about here is that when we totally dedicate our lives to Jesus, we die to self. All the earthly gains we strive for in this world are important but not as important as our relationship with Jesus. As we make decisions in life as Jesus would do in his life, we are living the heavenly life on earth.
I hope you are getting the feeling that living eternal life is not a relationship you are granted by God after you physically die, but a state of being with Jesus, in the presence of God as we live today. This also brings a clearer feeling on the Lord’s Prayer that says, “your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 So when you come to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord this Sunday, you are also celebrating your connection with God which will last forever.
Dear Lord, I have been alone in life, especially through this season of repentance. Now I see you have been walking with me all along. Keep me focused on the delights of eternal life, as I live my life with you each day. Amen.