In our story, Lazarus had died, but Jesus raised his body from the dead.
But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” 40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” [1] John 11:39-44
The Scripture does not say, but at sometime later Lazarus’ earthly body would have died again. He would entered forever into eternity. Lazarus had faith in Jesus as his Savior and so he would have gone to heaven, but what is heaven like?
Heaven, for the Christian, will be a place of glorious life that will never end. Joy, peace, love, and beauty beyond description is there. Greatest of all, we will be in the presence of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, with whom we will enjoy fellowship forever. Loved ones who have known and loved the Lord Jesus will also be there. Revelation 21:2 says, “ And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” [2]
Heaven will be a place in which people will be freed from the fears and insecurities that plague and trouble us in this life. There will be no financial or health concerns of this world. There will be no fear of physical harm or some type of war. I won’t have to worry about a lack of friends; for everyone there will be your friend. Our relationship with the Lord will be perfect and beyond description. I’m looking forward to that glorious day of going to heaven myself. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Cor. 2:9, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” [3] That is one of my favorite verses to ponder about heaven. It is so good we can’t even imagine how good it is.
Heaven will be what we have always longed for. All the things that have made earth unlovely and tragic will be absent there. In heaven there will be no night, no death, no disease, no sorrow, no tears, no disappointment, and no war. It will be filled with happiness, worship, love, and perfection.
However, God’s word makes it clear that there is only one way to heaven. We can get to heaven by turning from our sin and turning toward God and placing our faith in Jesus as our Savior. John writes in John 14:6 – Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.[4] Jesus paid for our sins through His death on the cross. God offers us the free gift of friendship with Him in this life and eternal life in heaven when we die if we will but turn from sin and trust in Jesus as our Savior and Lord.
Have you placed your faith in Jesus? It is not too late! If you have, praise the Lord. Heaven awaits all those who believe in Jesus as their Savior.
Listen here to hear the whole story of Lazarus: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/journey-with-the-divine-intruder/the-divine-intruder-and-lazarus
[1, 2, 3, 4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 11:39–44, Rev. 21:1-2, 1 Cor. 2:9, John 14:6). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.