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Heaven: Seeing Jesus

Imagine arriving in heaven and seeing Jesus for the first time. That is going to be awesome in the truest sense of the word.

I hear people talk about all the loved ones they hope to see when they get there. And yes — that matters deeply, especially for those of us who have lost someone recently. But truthfully, the first one we will want to see is Jesus. It will be because of Him that we got there at all. He paid an enormous price for that.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 ESV

It is hard to imagine looking Him in the eyes and thanking Him — just for salvation alone. But then to think of everything else that came from His hand? The blessings have been so many. Yes, there have been hard times. But they have not been the whole story.

When my dad died suddenly at 54, I found comfort in a song that was fairly new at the time (1971). I still come back to it.

But just think of stepping on shore,
and finding it heaven. 
 Of touching a hand, and finding it God’s.  
Of breathing new air, and finding it celestial. 
Of waking up in glory, and finding it home. ,  
–Don Wyrtzen Finally Home

Imagine arriving and breathing the best air you have ever breathed. Imagine being welcomed by Jesus — the One who loved you more than life itself — and realizing you are touching the hand of God. And that He is your Father. It is almost too much to take in.

Imagine being complete. Whole. Nothing missing. That empty longing you have carried your whole life — gone. You are home in a way you have never been home before. No more wondering if people really liked you or were just being polite. Everyone will be genuinely kind. No hypocrisy, no backstabbing. Just real love. We’ll talk more about that later. But for now — just imagine seeing Jesus.

I’ll admit that here on earth I am far too easily distracted. I can’t honestly say I think about Him as much as I should. But in heaven that will change. My priorities will finally be in their right order.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 
–1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV

Imagine being able to look Jesus in the eye without flinching. He knows everything about you — everything you have done, everything you tried to hide, everything you could barely admit to yourself. And He loved you anyway. He paid for all of it. In heaven, that will no longer be a weight you carry. It will simply be finished, just as He said it was.

And then the worship

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and
might and honor and glory and blessing!”
–Revelation 5:12 ESV

Can you imagine what worship will be like there? No flat notes. No distraction. No one checking their phone.

Ron preached the Word his whole life and loved it deeply. I have no doubt he is right in the middle of it — worshipping with the angels, the apostles, the martyrs, the everyday faithful from every tribe and nation across all of time. And Jesus, the Lamb of God, right there with all of them.

That thought does not make me sad. It makes me want to get there.

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