Jesus Shows Up

“Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Those who believe in me will have life even if they die.”                                                                                              John 11:25

This past week, I shared the eulogy in the funeral of my dear friend, adopted brother and brother in Christ, John.  His cousin, Dennis, shared the message in the service.  He shared the scripture of Lazarus’ death and Jesus arriving to be with Mary and Martha.  Dennis used the phrase “Jesus showed up” throughout his message.  I have been pondering this phrase throughout this week.

Jesus showed up for Mary and Martha in their grief to bring comfort and to grieve with them – “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) But what Jesus brought to them was also hope.  This world is not all there is and when life
ends here, Jesus will show up because he is the resurrection and life.  Jesus leads us to our new life.

As I mourned with John’s family who had adopted me into their lives, the loss of life was intense.  John was truly the rock of this family.  His laughter, love for life and his love for family gave meaning to everyone’s life. 
The hole in this family is huge.  The emptiness and pain of loss was felt in each moment.  But in the moments were also hope.  John was in heaven and we will see each other again.

I had the privilege of visiting with John over the past months. In one of our last visits, we talked about heaven.  I read to him the book The Next Place by Warren Hanson.  Hanson describes Heaven as just the next place we go after we leave this earth.  After I read the book to John, we talked about the people he would see in Heaven which brought a smile and peace to John.

I believe in Heaven and that when we breathe our last breath on earth the next breath Is in heaven.  This is the hope Jesus gives us.  Jesus shows up in death because he has conquered death and comes to lead us home.  Before John died, he reached out.  I believe John reached out and took the hand of Jesus.  Jesus showed up for John.

I believe Jesus shows up for us in our grief.  He walks beside us, cries with us and at times carries us when the burden is so heavy. Jesus shows up on the path of this different life and guides us down the path.  He understands our fears, our sadness and our desire to live in this different life.

Jesus has shown up in my life. He has been carrying me through my grief.  He cried with me.  He walks with
me on this different path of life.  As people I love take the journey to heaven, my hope and belief in heaven grows stronger.  I know they are being welcomed into heaven by those I love.  Jesus shows up in heaven to welcome them home.

Jesus shows up to give me hope and encouragement on this journey of life.  Jesus lives within me and also walks beside me guiding me to live and serve him.  Jesus keeps showing up and I am so thankful.  I cannot live this different life without him.