At the reunion of the 1959 matriculants of Schweizer-Reneke, there was much talking as stories of many years had to be told in a few hours. Grannies took out their tablets and cell-phones and proudly displayed photos of grand-children. A delicious feast had been prepared. Before the meal, a circle was formed, hands were held and gratitude was expressed for grace over so many years. They also talked about friends who had died.
When thoughts go back so far, you think of loved ones who have already died, some a long time ago, granddads and grandmas, your parents and perhaps a brother or sister. If only we could see them again! The wonderful truth is that there will be a meeting again. There will be a Big Reunion with your loved ones, despite their having died so long ago, or rather their bodies being dead so long. For this Big Reunion God Himself prepared the feast. He Himself is the host. One day Jesus told a story to teach people about the kingdom of heaven: “The Kingdom of heaven is like this. Once there was a king who prepared a wedding feast for his son. He sent his servants to tell the invited guests to come to the feast, but they did not want to come. So he sent other servants with this message for the guests: ‘My feast is ready now; my steers and prize calves have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast!’ (Matt. 22:2–4).
God Himself prepared the way to the Big Reunion. He Himself became a human being in Jesus Christ and took our sins upon Him so that the barrier between Him and us could be demolished – so that we can be the invited ones. But Jesus did not only come to show the way, He ís the way: There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so. And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am. You know the way that leads to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; so how can we know the way to get there?” Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me (John 14:2 – 6).
When the small group of 74-year-olds parted, they wondered who would be present at the next reunion; the group had shrunk considerably over the years. But we must remember that a Big Reunion is coming. The invitations have already been sent out. See you at the Big Reunion!
Lord, thank you that You invite us to the Big Reunion where we shall be with Christ and see our loved ones again who have gone before us. Amen.
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