A Story about the Future
(From the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 13, verses 32-37)
Jesus' friends knew that one day he would leave them to go to heaven and live with God. They knew this because he had told them more than once. They knew that this is what God wanted, and what Jesus wanted. But they didn't want Jesus to leave them. They loved him very much and wanted him to stay with them.
Jesus knew how his friends were feeling. "Don't worry," he told them. "I will come again to be with you."
This was great news! His friends got very excited and asked, "Jesus, when will you come back? And how will we know when you are coming?"
"I will come again," he told them. "But the exact day and time? Even I don't know that. Only God knows."
This didn't make his friends feel any better. So Jesus told them a story.
"Once there was a man who decided to take a trip. Before he left home he called all of his beloved servants together and put them in charge of everything. Each one of them was given a job to do while he was away. These jobs would keep the man's household running smoothly. The servants wanted to know when he would be back, but the man told them, 'I don't know! I don't know how long my trip will last. But I will be back, I promise you that! It could be in the evening. It could be in the morning. It could be in the middle of the day. You'll just have to keep watching for me! You don't want me showing up and finding you not doing your job, do you? Keep watch!' And he gave them all great big hugs and set out on his trip."
Questions to ponder:
How do you think Jesus felt having to say goodbye to his friends?
How do you think he felt about going to live with God?
What kinds of things do you think he asked his friends to do while he was away?
Have you ever had to say goodbye to someone? How did you feel?
Have you ever welcomed someone back after they'd been away? How did that feel?
I wonder what thing you can do to take care of God's world now.
I wonder how you can stay in touch with Jesus now, when you can't see him.
I wonder what life with God in heaven is like.