Later you will Understand.
John 13:7
There is a question that we ask at the time of an accident that results in death. Why?
Death from accidents seem different than death from a natural cause, when the body wears out. These deaths that come from accidents seem so untimely, so unnecessary. Who among us hasn’t asked why? Why did this have to happen? The common response it, I can’t believe it. I was just with him.
When I heard Walter was killed my mind immediately went back to the conversation, we had just hours before. I was remembering how full of life Walter was. I believe the words Jesus spoke to Peter surrounding his own death will help all of us at this time.
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” (John 13:7)
We are finite and cannot understand the ways of God. His ways are infinite. As the heavens are higher than the earth so are his ways higher than ours. The answer to the question? Why? is sometimes, I don’t know now, but later I will understand.
So, is Christianity a religion of uncertainties? No. But there are some things we cannot understand until we ourselves are standing before the throne of God. In the meantime our faith offers some certainties that serve as a great comfort to those in times of sorrow.
We know God works all thins to the goo for those who love him.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
I don’t presume to tell you how God will work in this tragedy to the good, but I am telling you on the authority of God’s Word, he will. God often works miracles in difficult and tragic situations.
There is a heartbreaking story of a pastor who lost his seventeen year old son in a tragic accident. This pastor was trying to come to grips with what happened. He asked God, why? He knew God’s ways are higher that our ways.
When he preached his son’s funeral most of his senior class made a commitment to Jesus Christ as savior. The life his son led, combined with the shocking reality of this sudden, unexpected death caused the young people to see the need for the savior.
God’s will is that in our sorrow we should glorify him. I with all of you could have seen what happened Thursday night. When the lady who caused Walter’s accident saw the love that his widowed wife Martha showed to her and wanted her to know the savior. Who knows what the impact will ultimately be. The certainty is that God works difficulty to the good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose.
We have a certainty that Walter is in heaven now.
Walter found pleasure in investing his life in the work of education. He loved the work of faming and cultivating the fields. But nothing can compare to what he is experiencing in heaven. Everything pales in comparison to the bliss of being in the presence of Jesus Christ.
The descriptions of heaven are enough to thrill the soul. Heaven is prepared as a bride dressed for her husband. (Revelation 21:2) In heave we have certainty that there will be no more tears, no more death, no more mourning no pain. All the things that cause us heaviness in this accident that took the life of Walter are not part of heaven.
Heaven is a place where we drink without cost from the spring of the Water of Life. (Revelation 21:6) This is a city with gates of pearl, streets of gold, yes, the entire city itself is pure gold like glass. (Revelation 21:21) The glory of God lights heaven. (Revelation 21:23) There is a brilliance in heaven like a precious jewel shining with the glory of God. (Revelation 21:11) Heaven is the place where God dwells where he lives with men. (Revelation 21:3) Jesus is there seated on his throne. (Hebrews 8:1)
When Walter was pulled from his mangled truck, from our perspective he experienced death. But he experienced glory beyond description in the presence of God. This is a certainty because of his relationship with God though Jesus Christ.
You face an eternal decision.
After Walters death I heard comments like, “we are here today and gone tomorrow” and “life is so brief on earth.”
It is true that life on earth is short. But we live for eternity. When we have been in heaven for ten thousand years it is just a drop in the bucket. Walter’s death brings the realization of how any of us could die at any time unexpectedly.
The question all of should answer is, If I died tonight, do I know for sure I will go to heaven?
You can know for sure. You can have have certainty. Walter did.
This is not about living a good life, even though that is valuable. Salvation is a free gift.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
What keeps us from receiving the free gift of salvation is our sin. The first part of that Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death.
Everything about heaven is about the holiness of God. God is holy. He is like the pure snow in the highest mountain. God created us to have fellowship with him. Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden and had this close relationship with God. But they disobeyed God on just one point. Now the fellowship with God was broken. Adam and Eve were under a curse and put our of the Garden of Eden.
We inherited the sin nature of Adam and Eve. Not only that but all of us have disobeyed God. Our sin has made us dirty like the mud on the side of the road. It can’t mix with holy God. We can never do enough good works to reach God. He must reach us.
That is why he announced a Messiah would come and die for our sins, the just for the unjust to bring us back to God. The wages of sin is death. That is why Jesus died on the cross. It was the plan of the enemies of Jesus, but it was the plan of God. Jesus died on the cross and rose again to conquer death and sin.
Walter made a commitment to trust Jesus Christ as his savior. He asked God that Jesus death on the cross pay the penalty for his sins. That is why we have the sure hope that Walter is in heaven right now.
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— (John 1:12)
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. (John 14:1)
Life on earth is short. Walter made a commitment of faith in Jesus Christ to save him of his sins. Now is the time for you to place your faith in Christ.
Heaven is a prepared place only for a prepared people.
You can make that preparation today. You can pray this prayer.
Dear God, I thank you that you loved me and desire a relationship with me. I acknowledge that I have sinned and broken my relationship with you. I ask that Jesus Christ death on the cross count for my sins. I ask Jesus to come into my heart and make me a new person. I want to follow Jesus with my whole heart. I thank you God that our relationship is restored through Jesus Christ. Amen.
May you live your life to please God. Start reading the Bible every day. Download a Bible App on your phone that gives you a Bible passage to read and a prayer to pray every day.
