The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

A DWELLING PLACE FOREVER

While Joseph did not know it, his work in Egypt was preparing a place for a provision for his family. God had seen fit to bring Joseph to Egypt, bestowing wisdom upon him, and positioning him to prepare the nation for the impending famine. Joseph gave himself to the work of developing a strategy, building facilities and preparing the people to store massive amounts of grain. Though they did not recognize Joseph, his hungry brothers asked for his gracious provision of food. Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers who reported the stunning news to their aging father. Joseph’s work through his years in Egypt had prepared a blessing for those in his family.

Jesus also indicates that he is preparing a place of blessing for his people. Like Joseph, the path to this position is unexpected. He would suffer and die on a Roman cross, be raised to life by the power of God and ascend to the right hand of the Father. There he works to prepare a place of blessing for the people of God. God pictures the heavenly dwelling like a house with many rooms (Jn 14:2 – 3). He will work to prepare this place for his people between the resurrection and the coming day when God will make all things new.

It is difficult to fathom the splendor of this dwelling place. Creator God made all things that exist in the span of six days. The vast mountain ranges, breathtaking beaches and sprawling forests demonstrate the handiwork of God at the dawn of creation. Now, thousands of years later, God is working to prepare a new dwelling in which his people will live forever. Quoting the prophet Isaiah, Paul exclaimed that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has conceived what God has prepared for his people (1Co 2:9).

The biblical images of heaven seem to make people grapple for words to describe the glory of this place. The heavenly dwelling, free from the implications of sin, is described as containing streets made of gold and seas as beautiful as crystal. There, God’s people will be given the bountiful provision of God’s blessing. Free from sin, they will be able to worship God by enjoying fellowship with God, loving one another, giving of themselves in meaningful work and feasting on the storehouse of God’s good gifts that he has prepared for them to enjoy.

Jesus, I cannot in my wildest imaginings know what glory you have in store for your followers. I can only thank you for your gracious generosity. Amen.