Thanksgiving in Heaven Verses Thanksgiving on Earth.

Scripture Verses that Caught my attention today: Matthew 22:30-33 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is God not of the dead, but of the living.” 33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astounded at his teaching.

Observation: In eternity we live, but differently.

Application: It’s Thanksgiving Day in this part of the world. Many will gather, our family included, and give thanks for various things in life. Often times, most notably, we give thanks for our family. (In some cases that’s only a half-truth—for many, if not most, families have at least one contingent among them that doesn’t get along with the rest and visa-versa.) That’s fair enough. Some of the relationships we have here on this earth truly do complete us, so to speak. We would feel lost without them. They give us stability, purpose, companionship, and, of course, love in its appropriate form(s).

But what about in the thereafter? Often times, when referring to the recently departed, someone will mention that so and so is up in heaven with his or her spouse now, and that they’re finally together again.

But is that true? More importantly, is that necessary? More pointedly still, is it even desirable in the heavenly realm?

I’d have to begin by saying that I don’t know for sure. But the passage above seems to indicate that, while we may someday be in the same place with those we loved on planet earth, our relationships with each other will be different. Rather than joining in marriage, we will be like the angels in heaven. Elsewhere Scripture does present a glorious vision of marriage in the kingdom of heaven, but it is of Jesus being the bride-groom and the entire church being his bride!

I’m not completely sure what to make of all of this except to say that perhaps the relationships we treasure on this earth are gifts for us to enjoy while on this good earth. None of these relationships is exactly perfect because none of us is, well, exactly perfect! Nevertheless, in many cases there is enough good in some of the relationship to treasure them greatly, sometimes so much so that we assume and/or wish that they will/would continue in the heavenly realm too.

But not so fast. Another thought comes to mind. What about the fact that many of our comrades in heaven will be people who were our enemies of one sort or another on earth: ex-spouses, soldiers from enemy fronts, competitors in the world of business, grade-school bullies and the like. As much as we might appreciate the thought of being with those we loved, how will it feel to also be immersed with those we perhaps hated or despised?

Answer? I can only surmise that, because our relationships with one another will apparently be different (like angels in heaven), all will be well.

This is not to in any way take away from the importance of our relationships on this good earth. I for one am exceedingly grateful for those whom the Lord has been kind enough provide to walk with me (and hopefully vice-versa!) in this earthly life. It’s hard to imagine life otherwise, nor do I want to. But whatever heaven is, things are going to be different there. And while it’s hard to imagine exactly what that difference will be like, here’s the kicker that makes it all worthwhile—just like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we will be alive!

That’s something for which we can truly be grateful!

Prayer: Lord, thanks for all the blessings of this life and the hope of the life to come. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(readings today included Matthew 20-22)