A Crowded Heaven

A number of years ago my church began showing a short interview with each person being baptized. They are asked to share how they came to Christ and how it has transformed their life. Each testimony is powerful, but the kids are always the best. Their enthusiasm is contagious and you can’t help but smile to hear them explain why they love Jesus. I find that they seem to have a firmer grasp of their faith than many adults that I know, and a young girl, who was recently baptized, was no exception. I listened in awestruck wonder as she explained to the person interviewing her that Jesus wants heaven to be crowded.

Out of the mouth of babes! Jesus does, indeed, want heaven to be crowded, which is why he came to earth in human form. He came to show lost people the way back home, because without him, we have no idea which path to take.

It wasn’t always this way though. In the beginning, things were different. Adam and Eve were with God, and in the cool of the day, he would come and walk with them in the garden (Genesis 3:8). In those days, man had connection with God. There was unity. There was purpose, but then we know what happened next. Satan convinced Eve that it wasn’t enough. God was holding out on them, and they needed more to be satisfied. They needed to be like God (Genesis 3:5)!

That fatal decision created a gap between God and man, and after the fall, people forgot who they belonged to. They were lost; therefore, God, starting with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), created a people for himself. They would be his light in this dark world. Later, God gave them the Law so they would know him and what he expected from them (Exodus 20). He also sent them judges, kings, and prophets to help guide them, but they wouldn’t listen. They decided the people around them had more to offer, and their little gods seemed like much more fun. Thus, they forsake the God of their fathers and chased after the wind. They looked for promises where there were none to be found, but our God is faithful even when we aren’t (2 Timothy 2:13). He, therefore, gave his people another promise…. An amazing promise:

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned…. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:2,6)

A Savior was coming to rescue the lost! He would be pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5). God pulled back the curtain of time so that the prophet Isaiah could see the future Messiah and the forgiveness he would bring to mankind. A plan God had since the beginning - a plan of redemption. His son, Jesus, would bridge the gap:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11)

In this passage we see that Christ stepped down from heaven and took on the form of his creation in order fulfill the plan of salvation for all people. Yes, he willingly laid aside his divine rights and privileges in heaven and came to earth so that he could die on the cross for our sins. He paid the price for Adam and Eve’s decision in the garden. He came to set the captives – us - free (Luke 4:18)!

Yet you still may be wondering how any of this helps heaven to be crowded, but think back to the conversation Jesus had with his disciples their last night together:

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:2-4)

There are only a handful of verses that describe eternal life, but this passage is rich with divine promises. Hear again Jesus’ reassuring words, “I am going there to prepare a place for you,” and “I will come back to get you.”

In those days, a bridegroom would prepare a room for he and his future wife in his father’s house. During this time of preparation, the bride didn’t have to worry where her betrothed was because she knew the way to where his father lived. She also knew her beloved would come for her when all was ready. However, it was not what the disciples were expecting, and we hear this in how Thomas responded to Jesus: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5)

Thomas wanted to be with Jesus, and if Jesus was going away, he needed to know where he could find him. He needed directions, and I get it! We live in a time where our phones give us step by step directions to wherever we want to go, so I can relate to Thomas’ concern. Jesus understood it too, and he responded: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Jesus is the only way to God. He is the door (John 10:7). He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25) He is the Great I Am, and for all who put their trust in him, heaven is their home.

Friends, Jesus was born in a manager that dark and starry night. He came and dwelt among his people. He then went to the cross and rose again on the third day to open the way for us to come back to our Father. And because of this great act of love, heaven will be crowded! There will be thousands upon thousands of believers from all generations lifting their voices together in worship of the King of Kings, “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.” (Revelation 19: 6)

I can’t even imagine how big God’s house is, and I smile as I think about the door that has my name on it. The thought causes my heart to overflow in gratitude, and so this Christmas I want to remind everyone the true reason for the season…. The birth of the One who is the way, the truth and the life.

Merry Christmas!  Lisa

Discussion Questions

As believers, what part do we play in helping heaven to be crowded?

I ran across the lyrics to the old hymn, The Road Leads Home: “Who could mind the journey, when the road leads home?” How does this statement affect your thoughts on current struggles you may be facing?

How would you explain to a questioning person that Jesus is the only way to the Father?