Before Jesus Left Earth
How His Goodbyes Reveal Heaven’s Priorities
Welcome new followers and subscribers. I’m so happy that you are joining me. Welcome to all my steady-eddies/eddiettes, as well. I greatly appreciate you. There is a gift for all of you at the end of this post.
I didn’t expect the Easter season to hit me as it has. But things change after you’ve been to heaven and back. I remember now that I became a bit ultra-focused during the Christmas season, too. As you know, although my heaven trip did not change my faith (only enhanced it), it altered every other aspect of my life. I got quite emotional yesterday as the Lord took me to more and more scriptures about this season and what it really means. It grows heavy sometimes when He takes me there. And yet, I feel Him close, and that is my comfort.
I hope you enjoy these next three posts in honor of the Easter miracles that made it possible for all to join in on heavenly celebrations someday.
Jesus Comforts, Teaches, and Says Goodbye
I don’t know how He did it. He knew He was going to die. He knew there would be a great deal of pain and abuse coming soon. And He knew how and when He would die. He must have only gotten through it like we get through trials-by trying (and sometimes failing) to focus on the hoped-for outcome and the good that it can bring others. By being obedient, no matter the personal cost.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, our Jesus requested that the incident of a horrific death be removed from his timeline here on earth, and He sweated profusely (Luke 22:44) while spending time with His Father. The question of whether He sweated blood or not is up for debate. The National Institute of Health says that fear and intense mental contemplation are the most frequent causes.
But despite His concerns, anxiety, and most possibly fear, Jesus focused on the ones He would leave behind. Whereas He often used parables/stories to teach the throng of people who may or may not have been followers (and actually still did almost up to His death), in an intimate, last dinner with His disciples, He put allegory aside.
He tells them about heaven, where they will join Him someday. And He assures them that they know how to get there.
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)
Daniel was unable to describe what he saw. The mansion had no apparent end to its height or width. It continually moved, and each room revolved in some way. It was constructed of transparent-like glass, and the floors were made of light. (I Believe in Heaven, page 48)
Jesus couldn’t wait to step back into Heaven. He couldn’t wait to see His Father and the place He dearly missed. I imagine He had quite the welcoming committee. The only thing that would make it more complete for Him was the addition of His beloved people, including the disciples and now - you and me.
He would not leave them orphaned. He would ask for an advocate. Later, He says the advocate will be sent.
The world would not be able to see the Holy Spirit/Spirit of Truth, but the Holy Spirit would be seen by believers and stay within them. The Holy Spirit would be a teacher, protector, purveyor of truth, a reminder of Jesus, a guide, a helper, an interceder, and a teller of what was to come.
Many of us have likely asked our earthly father for things throughout our lives. I had a bit of fun imagining the conversation.
“Father, I love these people I must leave behind.”
“I know, my Son. You’ve done well. Indeed, love is the greatest command of all and you’ve modeled that well for them.”
“I can’t just leave them alone. They have so much to get through yet, before our return.”
“I’m already ahead of you on that one.” (And He was. When Jesus ascended back to heaven, the Holy Spirit was already in the wings, waiting to step on stage).
Here was part of the real conversation: 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. (John 17:15-18)
And some of what He told the disciples at the time:
8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. (John 16: 8-11)
12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16: 12-13)
26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.” (John 14:26)
He tells them that He would remain in them if they remained in Him.
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12)
4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (John 15:4)
Jesus assures them that they were capable of great things - even greater than things He had accomplished.
Not just in John 14:12 but in several other verses:
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (John 15:16)
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:7-8)
23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (John 16: 23-24)
They were chosen by Him, and so are we. And, we are separate.
We should not expect to be adored here by the world. He has already pulled us out to be sanctified and separate. THAT is how much He loves us.
18 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. (John 15:18-19)
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (John 15:16)
Tell people that they are special and unique, each one. God made every one of His children to have a divine purpose, which only they can accomplish on earth. (Imagine Heaven, page 74)
Jesus says that although the rest of the world would be thrilled, they would deeply grieve. But the separation would not be forever.
Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. (John 16:20)
22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. (John 16:22)
He assures them of peace and the ultimate plan.
33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. (John 14:1)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)
He asks them to be aware. At the same time, He emphasizes His sovereignty.
34 Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21: 34-36)
The prince of the world is on his way. It is time to go. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Come now, let us leave. (John 14:30-31)
satan has now readied himself and his charges, and is on his way so that the prophecy of the Savior dying can be implemented. He had a role to play too, and Jesus was telling his people that it was time. But note here that satan still had to have God’s permission to start the torture and death of our Jesus.
I sometimes figure that frustrates him to no end. :-)
He assures them of His deep, deep love for them.
27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. (John 16: 27)
Numerous NDE accounts speak of God’s deep love portrayed when they visited, including my own.
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15: 9-13)
And of course, that is exactly what He was preparing to do.
The best unity I have ever felt on earth did not compare with the exhilarating oneness that I experienced with my spiritual family in heaven. This love…God’s love, was transforming. To experience something so sacred, so profound as the boundless love of God was the most thrilling part of heaven. (Imagine Heaven, page 98, based on the experience of Captain Dale Black, as written in Visiting Heaven)
He performs a “menial” act of servanthood that many would find gross. He washes their feet.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Go, Peter! So human of him to have this response. I love it.
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 15: 6-12)
A wise man once told me at his daughter’s bedside as she was dying, that at the end of life only two things matter: our relationship with God and our relationships with others. -Julie
I see Jesus modeling that very concept in His last days on earth. Can’t you feel the deep love He has for them (and us) swirling about as you read? His focus was not on Himself, even though He knew He was about to die. Even though His time in the Garden shows us that He was fearful. He was deeply concerned for the people He was leaving behind. His heart ached for them. He had accepted His death and quickly moved on to caring for the people. Would I be able to do the same?
Next time: Given my experience spending a bit of time in heaven, which of Jesus’ prayers impacts me the most? And what does it have to do with heaven? Stay tuned. This next post will be for paid subscribers only as I promise them additional content. <3
All scripture references are from the NIV, New International Version of the Bible.
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What I’m reading on Heaven:
Because! You might as well add some Christmas spirit into your life earlier than expected this year.
Because! This is a helpful resource for applicable scriptures, especially for new Christians or Christians you would like to encourage.
This new mini-book is free, and I would love for you to enjoy it and pass it on to someone else. It is 41 pages (PDF only currently) and includes some of what you have read on my blog, a new angel encounter, a brand new near-death experience story that my childhood friend experienced, what to look for when church-shopping, and how to make sure one will go to heaven someday. The URL to pick it up is: https://tinyurl.com/MiniHeavenBook
Thanks for helping to pass it on!
Love how you’re digging into the scriptures here!
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (John 15:16)
Love that.