Our Daily Bread: The Hope of EasterSample

More Than A Wish

WhIle I was talking with a gentleman whose wife had died recently, he shared that a friend said to him, “I’m sorry you lost your wife.” His reply? “Oh, I haven’t lost her; I know exactly where she is!”

To some this may seem rather bold or even flippant. With so many after-death theories, one might wonder how we can be really sure where our loved ones go after death, let alone where we ourselves will end up.

Yet, confidence is appropriate for followers of Jesus. We have the assurance from the Bible that when we die we will immediately be with our Lord (2 CorInthIans 5:8). Thankfully, this is more than just wishful thinking. It is grounded in the historic reality of Jesus, who came and died to cancel our penalty for sin so that we could receive eternal life (Romans 6:23). He then proved that there was life after death by exiting His grave and ascending into heaven where, as He promised, He is preparing a place for us (John 14:2).

Since the benefits of this reality are out of this world, we can boldly say with Paul that “we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). —JOE STOWELL

Life’s greatest joy is the sure hope of heaven.