I have a friend whose battle with cancer is probably nearing an end. We just learned that she is going into hospice care. She is a believer, a Christian redeemed by Jesus, so she will be going to the home He has prepared for her. But the homegoing can still cause trepidation.
In our craft team at church, each person takes a turn leading the others in creating a new craft project. The leader does a prototype of the project so that that 1) the leader is sure of the project steps and 2) the rest can see what the result will be.
How are these two paragraphs related? Because Jesus, our Leader, has already done the prototype of “going home”. He died, rose again, and returned to tell us that there is nothing to fear.
A Knowledgable Guide
A large part of our fear of death is rooted in the fear of the unknown. Very few people are comfortable with going into a situation for which they are totally unprepared. That’s why we research before traveling to new places, hire tour guides, and talk to others who have already been there. It’s why we check references and ask for recommendations before engaging with a new doctor, lawyer, plumber or electrician. We want to know what to expect. We try to prepare for success.
But how can we do any preparation for after our own death? Google can’t help with reviews of various afterlife alternatives. None of our family or friends can show us pictures of their own trip and tell us how it went. However, we do have one Friend who has already done exactly that.
Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.
John 3:11-13
Jesus doesn’t just talk theoretical philosophy or religion. He tells us about His home!
The Destination Is Prepared
Not only that, but He tells us that His home will be our home, also. He is getting it ready for us now.
Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
John 14:1-3
His home isn’t the only thing that we will share. We have the promise that we will also share His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-23), not back into our same old broken-down body, but into a new indestructible one (1 Corinthians 15:51-57).
Company on the Trip
The journey from this life to the new one may be dangerous and frightening, though. Come to think of it, that is true even without a terminal diagnosis. After all, we are all technically “terminal”, although we probably don’t need the benefit of hospice care. Even if we take a hundred years to reach the end of the journey, it will still end. Those years will contain many dangerous and frightening experiences. So we are also promised that we won’t take that journey alone. He will be there to guide and protect us along the way.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
Psalm 23:4
I fear no evil, for You are with me…
I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:20b
A Welcome When We Arrive
Jesus tells us what is waiting for us when our journey is finished. Two examples are the beggar named Lazarus in Jesus’ parable in Luke 16:19-31, and the thief on the cross beside Him in Luke 23:39-43. Lazarus is seen in “the bosom of Abraham“. That would be the ultimate in peace, comfort, and security 1. To the thief, Jesus said “…today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” The word “Paradise” had the connotation of a beautiful garden, reminiscent of Eden. From these two examples alone, we see a place where all is beauty and peace. But these are not all we’re given.
In the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-23, the faithful servants are told that they will “enter into the joy of your Master” 2. Several times, Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is like a banquet, a lavish celebration for the guests who have accepted an invitation (Matthew 8:11-12, Matthew 25:1-13, Luke 14:16-24) 3. This banquet is also mentioned in the Old Testament, by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 25:6). Revelation 19:7-9 describes the joy of the “marriage supper” of Jesus and the church, His bride.
The Future is Bright
Finally, there are the descriptions of the home that Jesus is preparing: a great city filled with light and life. The most important part is the Source of that light and life: The Lord God who will illuminate every corner, wipe every tear, and “swallow up death for all time” (Isaiah 25:8, Isaiah 60:19-20, Revelation 22:5, Revelation 21:3-4, Revelation 21:22-23).
This gives great hope for my friend, and for those who love her. Where she is going, there will never be a need for hospice care!
Note: A couple of similar articles on this site are The Soul Goes On and Heaven.
Footnotes and Scripture References
- For the rich man who didn’t think he needed God, not so much!
- For the unfaithful servant in the rest of the parable, not so much!
- For those who did not accept the invitation, not so much!
