My kids especially the two (2) little ones (Jonei and Peter) like to argue about almost everything. Everytime we use the van to go together as a family, they all would like to sit in the middle. No one wants to sit in the back. They are fighting over who’s gonna sit behind me all the time.
But when I tell them whoever would sit in the back would get a prize, they would give up the middle seat. In fact, yesterday going to church, both of them sat at the back. No one wanted to seat in the middle because it does not merit a prize for them.
I make it a point that the prize varies so they would still be encouraged to vie for it. They have no clue at all what they would get. The good thing about young kids is that they do not require much. They are happy with what you give them. Sometimes, the prize are goodies or treats, sometimes not. A piggy-back ride makes them as happy when they receive a treat.
Today’s reading says that Jesus Christ is the mediator of the new covenant; that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance for Jesus entered heaven itself, that He may appear before God in our behalf.
Brothers and sisters, there is also a prize that awaits those who were called by God . There was no clear description of heaven in the bible except bits and pieces. Jesus himself said that where He was going there were many mansions (John 14:2).
Revelation 21 says that the 12 gates in heaven were made of single pearl, the foundation of the city was decorated with every precious stone, the street was of gold, pure as transparent glass.
In verse 4 of the same chapter, John wrote: ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Still, I believe the best thing about heaven is that we would be able to see Jesus face to face, live and be with God, who is the God of perfect love, who loves us even if there is no way we deserve it. I am looking forward to the day when all I am going to do is to praise Him.
We should not live for this world, my friends because everything here will pass away. In fact, they would all burn (2 Peter 3:10). Those who are content and happy with what they got even if they do not have much are the wise of this world. Because they do not live for themselves, nor in the present. Rather, they do not consider the earth as their home. They look forward in joyful hope to the day when Jesus comes the 2nd time. And they concern themselves with things that reflect the love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As I wrote the other day, when Jesus gives, He gives abundantly. He does not give inferior things or leftovers (like humans do). He gives the highest quality. In that note, do you really think that our prize (heaven) would be anything but perfect?
My dear friends, if we keep our eyes in the prize of our heavenly calling, we would see the trials of this world as blessings in disguise.
“Father, I ask for forgiveness for every thing that I did and did not do that were not pleasing to your eyes. Help me to never forget especially when things do not go the way I want them to that this is not our home. Our home is in heaven with You, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, all the angels and the saints. Amen.”
Meditation: Hebrew 9:15, 24-28
Christ is mediator of a new covenant:
since a death has taken place
for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant,
those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.
since a death has taken place
for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant,
those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.
For Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands,
a copy of the true one, but heaven itself,
that he might now appear before God on our behalf.
Not that he might offer himself repeatedly,
as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary
with blood that is not his own;
if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly
from the foundation of the world.
But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages
to take away sin by his sacrifice.
Just as it is appointed that human beings die once,
and after this the judgment, so also Christ,
offered once to take away the sins of many,
will appear a second time, not to take away sin
but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.
a copy of the true one, but heaven itself,
that he might now appear before God on our behalf.
Not that he might offer himself repeatedly,
as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary
with blood that is not his own;
if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly
from the foundation of the world.
But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages
to take away sin by his sacrifice.
Just as it is appointed that human beings die once,
and after this the judgment, so also Christ,
offered once to take away the sins of many,
will appear a second time, not to take away sin
but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.
–that in all things God may be glorified
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