When Jesus Calls Us Home

Verses: If unborn infants die - Young children can be water baptized

Dying is when our spiritual being, our soul and spirit, leaves our body and comes into the spiritual Kingdom of our Heavenly Father. While our physical body is temporarily put to rest here on earth. Those in Christ should have no fear of death, for death is the fulfillment of our lives, it is when Jesus comes to take all believers home to Heaven, to be with Him forever.

When a believer dies, they will have no more pain and sorrow, only joy in Heaven. The pain and sorrow comes to the loved ones who are left behind. As they remember the memories of the past, all the love they have shared with the one who has been called home. And often there is angry frustration over wanting more time on earth with them. Even Jesus was moved by the sorrow the family of Lazarus had when he died. To help ease the pain and strengthen our faith when believers are called home, there are a few things we should always remember.

The first thing is the reality of our God. Our Creator loves us and has a plan for each of us to complete. All people have a purpose, no matter how insignificant our human minds might think it is. We are to love our God above all things, more than ourselves, our spouse, sons, daughters, or anyone else. We must trust Him in all things, including the time each of us is given here on earth. Only our Heavenly Father knows what He has planned for us to do in this world, and the proper time to call us home.

The second thing we must remember is the reality of Heaven. The Kingdom of God is so glorious it is beyond our human imagination. In Heaven we are all covered by our God’s love and peace, we can triumphantly worship our Heavenly Father, yet quietly visit with our Savior. And there is no more sin, no more pain or suffering. We will be in the companionship of all of our brothers and sisters who have been called home, as we await loved ones who will soon be joining us in Paradise. There is no greater place to live than in Heaven, praise be to our God!!!

The last reality we should remember is we are to love others as Christ loved us. Though the pain of missing those who Jesus has called home might seem unbearable, Christian love dictates we should want what is best for our loved ones, our spouses, children, friends, and all people. And the greatest place for anyone to be, regardless of their age, regardless of their status in life, is in Heaven with our Lord. Knowing that someday when our work is completed on earth, through the grace of Jesus Christ, we to will join all our loved ones in Heaven.

For those who have a very tough time when Jesus takes home a young child, try and imagine what the child will say when they are reunited with their loved ones in Heaven.

“I am so happy to see you, and it was so easy for us to spiritually recognize each other. It has been great living up here in Heaven, there are no chores to do, no homework to catch up on, no sickness or pain to be bothered with. And Jesus has taken such good care of me, and I enjoy being with Him so much. There are many of our family and friends here to visit with, along with all of the other brothers and sisters in Christ whom I have met. This is the best home we can ever have.”

“I am sorry we didn’t have more time to be together on earth. But I am so glad you brought me to the Lord. Jesus knew me right away and gently took me in His arms while telling me my job on earth was done. That it was now time for me to come home to live with Him in Heaven.”

“I know that you were sad when Jesus called me home to Heaven so soon, but glad that you were able to accept our Father’s will. For what is living another 50 years on earth together, compared to living eternally with Jesus in Heaven. We will have more than a million, more than even a billion years to enjoy Heaven with each other. I can’t even comprehend this much time, but no longer have to worry about it. For there is no time in Heaven, it’s just forever.”

“I knew deep down with the faith you have in our God, you would understand. And knew you would never want to deprive me of any time I could have with Jesus. It’s so good to be with you again. Let me show you around our God’s great Heavenly Kingdom.”

I realize how my human nature has made me slow to complete my Father’s work here on earth. That it has cost me many of the blessings my Savior wanted to give me. But I know my Master still has a small quiet corner laid away in Heaven for me. A corner that will give me joy beyond any expectations that I could ever imagine. Do not play any sad or morbid music for me after I am with my Maker. Just sing praises to our Savior for His great love for us, which can save even such a fool as I am.

And last but not least, never visit any Christian’s grave and look down at their burial plot to give them last respects, to talk to them, or feel close to them. They are not there. Look up to Heaven, that is where their residence is. And when we eat the bread in the Lord’s Supper, we receive the spiritual blessing of being united as one with them in Christ. They have not left us behind. They are patiently waiting to rejoice with us when Jesus calls us home to be with them in Heaven.

*But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, Heb 12:22-24 NIV+

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+ ESV “Scripture quotations marked [ESV] are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version,” copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good New Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”