ODJ: When We See Jesus

August 9, 2016 

READ: 1 Thess. 4:13 

Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words (4:17-18).

One of my favourite hymns is “When We See Christ”. The chorus declares how it will be worth every struggle and challenge we encounter in life when we see Jesus face to face. And with that day in view, we can courageously live for Him today!

Jesus is the hope of every Christian heart. We long to rest in His embrace, rescued from sin and suffering forever. No more addictions, anger, fights or envy at another’s success. We’ll never disappoint Him again. No more cancer, violent collisions or house fires. Jesus “will wipe every tear from [our] eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things [will be] gone forever” (Revelation 21:4).

All this will happen when we’re in Jesus’ presence. This means that it’s good to desire to be with Him, but have you ever wondered how that will come to be? One way is through death. And though we don’t truly want to die, the benefit of seeing Jesus led Paul to say “to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 niv). Don’t misunderstand. Paul wasn’t sitting there just dreaming of death. In the next chapter, for instance, he stated that a friend was ill and almost died, but “God had mercy on him” and spared his life (Philippians 2:27).

There’s something even better than dying and going to be with Jesus. And that’s for Him to come here. This was Paul’s preference. He closed one letter by exclaiming, “Our Lord, come!” (1 Corinthians 16:22). He learned this from Jesus, who taught us to pray, “Father...may your Kingdom come soon” (Luke 11:2). Their prayers previewed the closing shout of Scripture: “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

Whether through death or our Lord’s coming, it will be worth it all when we see Jesus!

—Mike Wittmer

365-day plan: John 9:1-41