This has been an interesting month for me. I mentioned earlier that I as serving the saints down here at Fishers of Men in Port Isabel, Texas this month. I enjoy doing so. But this time, I’ve done so with Cheryl being gone about half of the time. Earlier this month her father was hospitalized, so she flew home to spend about five days with her mom and dad. And now, at the end of the month, she is in St. Louis serving Jesus with the Lutheran Women in Mission. We knew about this meeting before we came down here, but the other trip was not expected.

We don’t like to be apart. We have grown accustomed to being with each other over the last forty-five years. We kind of like each other, too.

A friend of mine down here in South Texas went to be with Jesus last Saturday. His wife is now making the adjustment to being unable to be with him for the rest of her life. We know he is rejoicing with our God, yet we still hurt because he is not with us.

As much as we try to prepare ourselves for separation from our loved ones, we are never totally prepared for the changes that occur when someone leaves us to go to heaven. Their faith in Jesus gives us the comfort of knowing that they are now better off, but we still grieve and mourn.

Jesus tried to prepare His disciples for His departure. On the night of the Last Supper, He said this.

John 16:16 “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

The following verses let us know the disciples were confused by what Jesus said at the time. Eventually, these words would make sense.

Jesus said these words just before He was betrayed, put on trial, beaten, sentenced to death, and crucified. It all happened in a matter hours. He did that to buy us back from sin and death. But in just a little while, on the third day, He rose from the grave and appeared to His disciples again. He defeated death for us all. They probably thought that was the end of it, but after a little while, 40 days later, He left again, ascending into heaven. We are now in that little while of waiting to see Him again, whether that be when we die or when He comes again in glory.

When Cheryl and I are separated, we know we will see each other again. My friend whose husband is in heaven knows she will see him again. We live in the confidence that belongs to those who have been washed in the blood of the lamb, who have forgiveness and the certainty of eternal life for Jesus’ sake.