Thursday, November 15, 2007
1 Thessalonians 4:17b And so we will be with the Lord forever.
THE LAST DAY -- A DAY OF REUNION
I have been a member of many different congregations throughout my life. Once in awhile I think about the people I knew in those congregations as a child, a teenager, or a young adult. I think about my pastors who faithfully instructed me and watched over my soul. Sometimes I remember old neighborhood friends, who, although from different churches, were nevertheless believers in Jesus as their Savior. I think back to my school friends and the years together at Immanuel Lutheran High School and College. I remember with fondness the professors who taught me so much about my Savior and His Word. I think of the dear people I served as a pastor in Virginia and then later in South Dakota. I think about once-neighboring pastor friends, but whom now I seldom see.
I've lost touch with so many of these people. I sometimes wonder where they are, how they are doing, and about the course their lives have taken. One looks back on old friendships with a certain warmth of feeling, but also with a certain longing sadness which knows one may never see that certain Christian friend again on this side of eternity.
But let us take heart. Christian friendship lives beyond this side of eternity. One of the great joys of Judgment Day is that it will be a day of wonderful reunion for Christian friends.
Jesus has made this glorious soon-to-be reunion a reality. He removed our sins as far as east is from west so that they no longer separate us from God. Through the precious Means of Grace he has worked saving faith in our hearts. We now belong to His family, the very heirs of an everlasting kingdom of unspeakable joys. On the Last Day Jesus will bring His entire family together. His believers will all be together forever with Him.
It is a great comfort to know that when we part ways with our Christian friends in this world, it is only for a little while. Even if our pathways never cross again in this world, we will meet again in eternity. In heaven we will have plenty of time to get reacquainted, as well as ample opportunity to make many new friends. Thank you, dear Friend Jesus, for friendships that truly do last forever!
