Tedashii - Below Paradiseনমুনা

Paradise

In John 16 Christ is about to leave His disciples. After walking with Him for three years, watching Him teach with authority and perform miracles, they're about to say goodbye. This is their rabbi, teacher, brother, friend. And He's leaving. Of course they feel a deep sorrow.

Responding to their sorrow, Christ doesn't say in a few days it'll all be better. He doesn't say everything's OK. He doesn't say time heals all, so just wait. He comforts them with the promise of His presence - “I will see you again.”

This is the same promise His followers today have in the midst of sorrow - we will see Him.

One day we'll see Christ face to face, in all His splendor. And on that day our hearts will rejoice; we'll have an unshakeable joy, never to be lost or taken away.

That will be the day we enter paradise. A place where sin, suffering, disease, disaster, despair and death will never exist. But what fully makes it paradise?

Christ is there. Paradise is where Christ is.

Read Revelation 21:1-4. At the end of time, when Christ comes back and makes all things new, we'll celebrate like never before. We'll be with God. He'll wipe away every tear. I've heard it said that every sad thing will become untrue. Andy Mineo told us "Death will be dead and we'll lock the casket, Yes!" Death will be dead, never to reign again.

I told you before that I’ve been there for the birth of my boys. I’ve watched my wife, almost instantaneously, go from the sorrow of labor, to euphoria after delivery. The joy of welcoming the baby far overshadows the pain she was just feeling.

How much more will we experience euphoria when we see our Savior face to face? How much more will our hearts leap with insatiable excitement when we behold His beauty? In the midst of our sorrow here, we have an amazing promise to look forward to. But until Christ is beautiful to you, this promise won’t bring you the true, complete comfort it’s meant to bring. We must grow in our love for the Lord as we wait.

This is the hope - to which I'll cling. Dear sister, dear brother - cling with me.

Father, help me to behold the beauty of Christ and expectantly await paradise. Amen.

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