Arrival in Heaven
Five people die and go to heaven – a faithful Mormon, Catholic, Protestant, and Atheist. Did you catch that? They ALL die and go to heaven. So far so good because all go to heaven on account of the shed blood and finished work of Jesus Christ (can I get an amen!) Now in heaven, they all see the singularly most wonderful brilliant city imaginable and together they sojourn toward it finally arriving at its front entrance.
Anyway, all five are standing there and Jesus comes to the gate and greets them and after the high fives and such, he asks the faithful Mormon, “What is wanted?” (J/K) Actually he says, “WAZZUP?” And the LDS man says, “Well, I’d like to live in this glowing city?” And Jesus replies, “On what grounds?” And the Latter-day Saint says, “We’ll I believed in Jesus Christ and . . . “ and Jesus cuts him off and says, “Stop there buddy. Come on in. You apartment is on the main floor.” The LDS Man rejoices and enters. When the faithful Catholic is asked the same thing she says, “Well, I lived by faith and . . .” and again Jesus cuts her off and invites her in – to be the next door neighbor to the LDS man. She rejoices and enters. Protestant – same exact thing – same destination. First floor in the Kingdom.
The Atheist's Encounter
The Atheist steps forward and Jesus steps out from under the overhead eve of the gate and embraces him for a long long time. And when Jesus asks him what he desired the atheist is silent. And Jesus asks, “Do you want to enter too?” And the Atheist replies, “I don’t think I do.” And Jesus says to Him, “well then there is an apartment right across the street outside the city gates waiting for you.” But as the Atheist walks away, Jesus calls out and says, “but know you are always welcome here and I’m waiting for you.”
Personal Reflection
Now you may have caught that I said five people died and went to heaven. I want you to make yourself the fifth. And you go to the gate and meet Jesus. What do you expect to happen? Play it out in your mind? Create the narrative for yourself and set the scene.
I would like to suggest what I would hope would occur upon your arrival. You step up after the Mormon and the Catholic and the Protestant and the Atheist and Jesus opens his arms and says, “My brother!” or “My sister.” And without another word spoken he swoops you up and takes you through the gates, past the first, tenth, hundredth floor, and right into the throne room of angels and light, where everything is love – because that is what you lived by, because of your faith in Him.
He has had the total victory for all. And he will never stop reaching and calling to all. He rewards any for their faith and this gives them access to His Kingdom. But those who are His, who are Sons and Daughters of God, who are Joint Heirs with Christ, love. They love all people, all the time, unconditionally through Him.
