A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Now, Here - Then, There"

The principal and I made our way to his office to be sure that the security system was set properly so the men from the church could come into the middle school gym to play basketball. As we walked through the school we chatted about how God had so wonderful worked in his life over the past year. We entered the outer office when something on one of the secretary's desk caught my attention. Right in the middle of the desk was a file folder with the words "Tomorrow's Work" written in large letters on the front. I chuckled out loud. My friend inquired why I was laughing. I told him that I needed a file like that one to put all the work that I never wanted to do in. You see, each morning that secretary comes in and looks at that file that contains "tomorrow's work." So, she puts it aside and begins working on today's work. Therefore, the work in that file will never get done. How could it? Its tomorrow's work!

Time and space are so important to us. We understand everything in that continuum. Now and then, here and there are very clear to us. Today is today and tomorrow is the day after today; right? Therefore, when we hear Jesus pray in John 17: 24, "Father, I want those You have given me to be with me where I am," we immediately think about "then" - being with Him in the heavenly realm. This is undoubtedly included in His prayer. In chapter 14 Jesus tells His disciples not to let their hearts be trouble because He was going to prepare a place for them. "And", He continued, "if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am." We rejoice that our knowledge of the place Jesus is preparing - heaven - is an inextricable part of our hope. It is indeed a wonderful comfort to our hearts.

Nevertheless, then and now, here and there are not so clearly defined for Jesus. Earlier Jesus told His disciples "whoever serves me must follow me and where I am, my servant will be also." (12:26) In chapters 13-16 Jesus seems to talk in circles about His going and coming, and about His leaving and being with the disciples. So much so that the disciples ask each other "What does He mean?" (16:17) Jesus' prayer was not only that we would be with Him "then", but "now" as well. He wants us to be with Him here and now, which is not completely separate from there and then. His prayer was that we would be with Him so that we can see His glory. One day we shall see Jesus in all His glory with perfected, unveiled eyes. Nevertheless, we can see Jesus and a measure of His glory now, through eyes of faith.

Nicodemus had this same problem in chapter 3. He came to Jesus in the night and when Jesus told him that he must be born again, his question was how could he reenter his mother's womb. In other words he ask, how could he go back then so he could be where he needed to be now? Jesus later tells him that "whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (verse 16) Eternal life is not only heavenly, it is earthly. We have eternal life the moment we are born again. God's people are already living eternal life.

This is not some kind of science fiction time warp. It is the wonderful reality that Jesus wants us to be with Him, both now and then, here and there. He wants us to see His glory, now through eyes of faith, and then in all His splendor through perfected eyes. Where He is, is where we need to be. In Him "then" has arrived for all who believe. We are living "then" in the here and now. By doing so Jesus is preparing us for there and then. Beloved, rejoice! Jesus wants us to be with Him - now and then, here and there.

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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