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| The First Thing I Want To Ask When I Get to Heaven . . . |
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The story of Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's Well is a familiar one to most of us. We remember the conversation about her many husbands and about the living water, but we may have overlooked her first reaction when she realizes that she has encountered a "prophet."
It seems, like many of us, the woman at the well had a burning religious question of the day that she wanted to have answered. Apparently there was a cultural debate in Samaria concerning where one was to worship. The Samaritans had had a temple on Mount Gerizim, but now Jerusalem had become the center of worship. Upon realizing Jesus was a "prophet," she immediately wanted His clarification on that burning question:
4:19 The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 4:20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship."
Maybe we forget this part of the story, because of Jesus' answer. He doesn't give one. At least not directly. He apparently saw this human debate as unimportant. "You worship what you don't know," He tells her (v. 22), cutting to what really should matter to her. Jesus was not concerned with where the people worshipped, but Whom they worshipped and that they worshipped.
Are we not just like the debaters in her village? Do we not spend our religious energies debating issues that ultimately are not going to make any difference, while we blindly miss the very basic tenets of Jesus' message? If you ran into Jesus at the Farmer's Market tomorrow and had Him to yourself for 5 minutes, what would you say to Him? Would you ask a question like one of these:
Jesus, is the Bible infallible or inerrant?
Jesus, will we be raptured before or after the tribulation?
Jesus, will you please tell these people that Saturday is the Sabbath?
Jesus, is speaking in tongues valid anymore?
Jesus, are you a Calvinist or an Armenian?
Jesus, will you please tell my sister that women do not belong in ministry?
Jesus, should we sing traditional hymns or contemporary praise choruses?
(add your own question here)
I can't imagine what I will say to Jesus at our first face-to face meeting, but I feel certain it won't be any of these questions.
Our religious debates have a place. I can enjoy the "tough issues" as much as anybody! But perhaps we have assigned too much significance to them, and not given enough passion to the more important issues like grace, love, forgiveness, discipleship, and the simplicity of salvation (John 3:16-18).
I wonder if Jesus yearns to see our religious fervor more directly turned to Him. I wonder if He might answer many of our questions this way:
14:9a "Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me?
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| Than God you know him. and you share the truth you know. I only pray that Other will come to know him for their self. Amen. |
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Kathy, you are so right! In the eternal scheme of things, all debates have already been settled by the One who created all things. Our primary goal should be to do what He asks us to do. I love this blog. Thank you for writing this.
If I could actually speak, and if I was able to think about doing anything other than celebrating and praising Him when I experience the joy of meeting Him face to face, I'd have to take a page from David's book and ask:
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them? - Psalm 8:4 |
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I WOULD ASK WHY DID YOU CHOSE ME FIRST OVER SO MANY WHO ARE STILL LOST?
AFTER I FINISHED PRAISEING HIM FOR DOING SO. |
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>>> (add your own question here) <<< "Lemme guess... a Cubs-fan, right?" |
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Norm |
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July 06, 2007 at 4:56pm |
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I don't think we'll have to ask questions in heaven. We're told
13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. That won't stop me here though. I think Thomas gets a really bad rap. He asked questions when he didn't know the answers. How many of those would we have had the guts to ask? 14:5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. I've appreciated the OSAS conversations, the Bible conversations (which version), the conversations about sinless perfection. All of these have forced me to ask God questions and read more in the Bible. :) I'm sure I'll ask dumb questions... |
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Norm |
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July 06, 2007 at 4:59pm |
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| That last sentence was referring to here. |
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...yeah, Indy...that's the first thing that comes to my mind...
Like the Mercy Me song, I am not sure I could say anything...I would have some smile plastered on my face and the moment would be gone too quickly...I am just not good in quick situations like that...however, let's say there was a line of people and I had a chance to pull my thoughts together...Soozanne has gone before me, so she has asked the real question, and Diane's question is on my list, too, so I listen...then I might ask...
Do you remember the time when we prayed all night for that friend who had a tumor in her belly? When they rolled her in for surgery the next morning, it was gone...all gone, so they rolled her back out. Yeah, none of us knew what to say, so we didn't say anything. What were you doing there that day? Show me.
That day I was playing with my little boy in the park and his ball rolled into the river and we lost it forever. He seemed to handle it better than I did. Why did that have to happen?
What were you thinking when you blessed me with a wonderful wife who loves me more than I deserve? And the children, Lord...what a rich blessing they are, too.
What did you have in mind when you created mosquitos?
...and before I go so the next person can ask, I just want to say Thank You. Thank you for the cool creek to wade in, the soft pine needles to walk through, the painted sunsets, and lilacs. |
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Kathy |
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July 06, 2007 at 5:35pm |
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Amen, Valerie!
Soozanne, I love your answer! But now I have my favorite Casting Crowns song (Who Am I?) playing over and over in my head! I can relate to "if I could actually speak!" My guess is that I wouldn't be able!
ds, I read once that Billy Graham's question will be "Why me?" too!
IndyChristian, lol - I love that!
Norm, I agree totally about not having any questions when we get to heaven, although I think it will be because earthly concerns will be insignificant there. I wrote in another blog once that I think in heaven we will have no more interest in thinking about our time on earth than we now have thinking about our time in the womb. We were there such a short time, and it nurtured us and had a purpose, but we don't long to go back there or ponder what life was like there. This world is so much grander. And heaven billions of times more than this! And as for Thomas, I appreciate his inquisitive nature, because we get to learn from the answers!
Voice, you are such the romantic! Oh btw, should you get there before I do, could you send me a telegram about the mosquitos?! |
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Indy,
My first thought was that if he were a Cub's fan you were probably in the other place, but then I realized, only God has infinite optimism and patience in the face of dismal times!Dennis(forever a White Sox fan). |
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Lora |
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July 06, 2007 at 8:46pm |
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I love this blog! I never thought too much about that part of the "woman at the well" story. The way you put it reminds me of the "Mary and Martha" story when Jesus is visiting the home of these 2 sisters, and Martha is in the kitchen being Martha Stewart while Mary is at Jesus' feet hanging on his every word. Martha's question to Jesus was, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work?"
Like in the "women at the well" story, Jesus tries to get Martha to understand that that is not what's important. It is better to worship and hang on every word of Jesus :) |
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Kathy |
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July 06, 2007 at 9:22pm |
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Thanks, Lora! I had never thought about that part of the story either, but it jumped out at me when I was reading from John today. The Gospel of John is so rich that there are revelations waiting for us in every line! I never thought about Martha being a "Martha Stewart!" I like that!
Hi Dennis! Nice to see you, and you're out of uniform (new pic)! |
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Why would I ask what is clear in His Word? No... I would definitely kneel down, kiss his feet, and say many times "thank you". I would spend eternity doing that if I could. You see, I told myself when I was 15 years old that I would do just that when I get to heaven, and I have not change my mind yet ;-)
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Thanks Kathy, Nice to be home.
Lourdes, you said it the way I was thinking it,
But I also know I need a mindset change. Kevin Prosch wrote a song that said it the way I think at present: When you've been broken,Broken to pieces.And Your heart begins to faint‘cause you don't understand.And when there is nothing to rake from the ashes.And you can't even walkonto the fields of praise.But I bow down and kiss the Son.Oh, and I bow down and kiss the Son.Let the praise of the Lord be in my mouth.Let the praise of the Lord be in my mouth.Well, though You slay me,I will trust You, Lord. I then start to think:
But now, all tears will be gone, all sin removed, all healing take place,
I will no longer fear the sting of sin, death, and the devil.
Then is when I will only be able to imagine. Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! I can only imagine! I can only imagine, when all I do is forever, forever worship You!
I can only imagine." I will also say that I want to meet Lewis, and Tolkien, Williams,
Dumas,Hugo, Newton, all those men and women who wrote down what
I can only understand through their words about God.
But then, I will not be constrained by my own weaknesses, I’ll understand
in a new measure. I want to understand forgiveness and come to terms
with my failures. I know this happens in a measure here on earth,
but I mean really find the fullness of repentance and forgiveness,
you know, where those things are complete, with nothing holding
on in the back of your mind. I also want that true hug from He who
held me in his heart for all of creation.
It also would be nice to meet, if they truely exist as more than a thought, Reepicheep and
Jean Valjean, Frodo and Sam, all these people
that are from the minds of these men and
women.
And finally, well I would like to go “Farther up, farther in.”
Yes indeed,
"Farther up and Farther in!" |
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Dennis & All... Lest you think my question was trivial or irrelevant, I assure you it is at the heart of my understanding of the very nature of our ALL-POWERFUL, yet BENEVOLENT God... to be AWESOME... yet SELF-SACRIFICING. And our call is to imitate God. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Humble ourselves and in due time, he will lift us up. Is all this NOT a picture of Jesus, the model (did I mention die-hard) Cubs fan? And we have some hints at all this in scripture, albeit with some minor editing... (from Ex. 38) "The north side was a hundred cubits long and had twenty bronze bases." Then clearly... right from scripture...
(from Gen. 49) "You are a Cub, O Judah." (from Lev. 1) "Slaughter them at the north side before the LORD" But encouraged, Dennis. He's a gracious, inviting God...
(from Luke 13) " People will come from north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God." And lastly, I urge you to reconsider your allegiances my friend...
(from Deut. 2) " "You have made your way around this country long enough; now turn north." |
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9:29 And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment `became' white `and' dazzling. 19:14 And the armies which are in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white `and' pure. 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. I |
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Kathy |
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July 07, 2007 at 6:28am |
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Thanks for your picture of love, Lourdes. I suspect there will few words from any of us when we stand before Jesus face to face. For now awesome is just a word!
I don't believe the Bible answers all our earthly questions, however, as is evidenced by the many religious debates, with both opposing sides using Scripture as their justification. Nor do I believe it is meant to. Tongue in cheek, but examine for example the present Jesus is a Cubs fan vs. Jesus is a White Sox fan debate, both using Scripture.
This, however, is a debate that will not be resolved. God is not really into professional sports, but has painted the sky to show his college loyalties! Who shall ascend the (chapel) hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? (Ps. 24: 3) The blueness of a wound cleanses away evil. (Prov.20:30).
Dennis, I love that song, and it was in my head as I was writing this blog! |
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Deb |
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July 07, 2007 at 6:35am |
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| Great blog Kathy! I think I would be too awestruck to speak, but if by chance I could, I think my question would be the same as ds (Diana) above...why did you choose me over the others who are lost? |
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Beth |
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July 07, 2007 at 8:22am |
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| I think we get too bogged down in the questions to really understand the true meaning of what God is trying to accomplish on earth. I have alway thought and told others that all those questions we have on earth will not matter at all once we get to heaven, because we will too busy praising and worshiping God forever. Amen!! |
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| I not sure what I would ask but I know what I would say, Lord, I so glad that you love me. |
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When I read this to my wife, she said her first question would be...
Jesus, what are you doing at the Farmer's Market? |
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Well Kathy,
I will admit that even an IU fan knows when the greater trumps have shown themself. We can though aspire to such a glory as is know in those hallowed halls. But wait...isn't Cream and Crimson still ahead of Blue and White by a single national championship?
Interestingly of the top Basketball teams there were only three with no violations, IU, NC, and another team coached by a former IU assistant(who will go un-named,even with the IU connection). Of course, another minor piece of trivia, Indiana was, by Naismith's own words, the Cradle of Basketball..... http://www.hoopshall.com/magazine/crowe.html. In fact the all time most great, John Wooden is quoted as saying that his greatest memory
is when he won the indiana State Basketball championship, at Martinsville High School in Indiana. Oh, and isn't the greatest basketball movie ever called..."Hoosiers", not "Caroliners"? Enough said?
So maybe up there, where all the old ones play, without care of their forlorn flesh, and everyone is always in their prime, maybe there we can finally find out, "who's really the all time best"? Of course in Indiana we keep hearing that God is on the coaching staff at ND......... |
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| Dennis, my brother. Step outside and look up. God made the sky Carolina Blue. |
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Kathy |
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July 08, 2007 at 10:44am |
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Deb, I bet I can guess your and Diana's answer to the 5th question! lol I'll be right there with you on the "awestruck!" (Did you notice I linked to your blog?! - July 6 comment)
Beth, Yes! Amen!
Faithrock, Absolutely!
Voice and Sword, lol! Good question!
Dennis, "Caroliner?" Actually that word doesn't sound so foreign down here in "North Caroliner!" We have great basketball, but we talk funny! It might make a good movie! |
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| ur a very talented writer. god bless |
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marie |
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July 08, 2007 at 8:09pm |
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why did you choose me?
what does heaven smell like?
why do people feel they should put others down?
then i would just say sorry that he took my place on that cross and that i'm glad he did.
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marie |
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July 08, 2007 at 8:21pm |
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| oh and i just wanted to say that you have a ministry your self and i thought you should know how impactful you are. and i know for a fact that your famliy will continue to be blessed because of the strong woman that you are |
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marie |
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July 08, 2007 at 8:26pm |
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| sorry that was for you kathy |
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| I imagine that I would have no questions at all for Jesus. Even if I had any to ask, I imagine they would be far to trivial to take to Him. I think falling on my face would be most appropriate! (I think this might have been your point.) Thanks Kathy, excellent! ~mike |
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| I want to see what Elijah saw... |
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Answers: 1. Jesus, is the Bible infallible or inerrant? It's the Word of God.
Jesus, will we be raptured before or after the tribulation? Raptured? Where did I write that?
Jesus, will you please tell these people that Saturday is the Sabbath? No, I changed it to Sunday, thankyou.
Jesus, is speaking in tongues valid anymore? How do you think I've been talking to you? Jesus, are you a Calvinist or an Armenian? Ask Paul!
Jesus, will you please tell my sister that women do not belong in ministry? Yes, I will.
Jesus, should we sing traditional hymns or contemporary praise choruses? Neither, sing psalms and scripture songs around here please! LOL. |
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Kathy |
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July 09, 2007 at 9:37am |
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Recon, the point I was attempting to make in this blog is that I don't think Jesus would directly answer any of these questions, because they are framed from such finite thinking. and miss the critical issues His kingdom. That's not to say that there exists no ultimate truth on these issues. Of course truth exists. However, none of us has that market cornered! You believe you have all the answers, many of which are quite different from what I believe, which is the point of this blog. Is God pleased that we spend so much energy debating these issues when we could be spending our time doing the things He has called us to do? (Btw, the list of questions you answered are not questions I would personally pose. They are examples of the kinds of questions Christians often debate.)
Tiffany, Marie, and Mike, thank you for your kindness! Mike, I "fall on my face" a lot! :) |
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I really agree w/ you Kathy...
Sometimes we are so addicted to spend time w/ religious issues and just forget to be focused on important things,like loving Jesus and following Him, like caring for people enough to hang on to them even when we disagree, like reaching out to the least and the lost. |
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Y'think there's any chance at all, that the pearly gates will feature an optional kiosk with a search-engine? [But the gates will be open for those who prefer instead to enter immediately rather than hang with us geeks playing with the heavenly gadgets.]
Forget my Cubs question above. (I know the answer is YES.)... Here's my real question... "I won't bother to ask about how/why man had to experience pain. Instead, please explain how/why the Almighty Himself could even experience 'pain'? (Gen. 6:6) [And thus has a 'self-sacrificing' component to His very nature.]
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Kizzie |
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July 09, 2007 at 8:58pm |
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This is very well written. VERY well written! It's somethign that God has been putting on my heart and I didn't quite know how to put wirds to it.. and you've done a beautiful job. I love the song " I'm coming back to the heart of worship.. where it's all about you... I'm sorry Lord for the things I've made it, when it's all about you... " |
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| Why twenty three and a half degrees? |
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Kathy, You took me seriously??? WOW!!! LOL, LOL!!
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Kathy |
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July 10, 2007 at 8:33am |
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Recon, I did take seriously your answer to the questions. Were they not your real opinions?
IndyChristian, a kiosk outside the Pearly gates! Now that's a question! :)
Voice, twenty three and a half degrees??
Thank you, Kizzie! I love that song too! A great song to take you right into worship!
Christie, You and I are on the same page! Welcome to MyChurch, my new friend!
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Cathy |
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July 10, 2007 at 8:44am |
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| I would ask why high heels had to be invented for women. |
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Kathy, LOL, you can't tell that was a joke? Listen you assume much! You state, "you believe you have all the answers, many of which are quite different from what I believe, which is the point of this blog." How can you assume this? Especially when one answers the absurd with the absurd!! LOL. |
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JayKTX |
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July 10, 2007 at 1:30pm |
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I think I would be like John in the book of Revelation who fell on his face as dead. If I could speak, it would be to say, "Thank You. Thank you. Thank you." Thank you for an excellent article, Kathy. Doctrine is important, but relationship is primary. |
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Tonya |
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July 10, 2007 at 1:32pm |
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| wow beautifully putt.....i dunno that i'd have any question ....i'd b so amazed at being there before him...he loved me enough to die 4 me....i think the answers 2 any of the questions i have 4 him will just fall n2 place.... |
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Cathy |
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July 10, 2007 at 1:35pm |
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Will I dance before you Jesus
To my knees will I fall |
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Kathy |
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July 10, 2007 at 4:44pm |
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Cathy, you and Dennis are singing the same song, and it's a great one!
Recon, hopefully everyone else got the joke.
Amen, Jay and Tonya, and thanks for the encouragement! Tonya, welcome to MyChurch! |
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You know Cathy you might have brought everything to clarity for me!
I've already understood that questions will be meaningless, but what I really want is something much greater than questions, I want to see. I want to see what it's like to know people as the Father, without care for the wounds or scars. I want to know what it is to really dance, unashamed and without fear of embarassment. I want to sing and not care if my pitch is right, or am I interpreting correct. I want to see what livign without care, in the presence of the King, as His child, wow, that's what I want, not questions or answers or anything that is only justification for my thoughts and ideas.
I want to see, clearly and without concern! |
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Kathy |
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July 10, 2007 at 6:08pm |
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Dennis, you said it more clearly than I did! Amen! Amen! Amen! As Jay says, the doctrine is important. It's a part of our earthly religious experience to deal with doctrinal issues. But they are not ultimately what our faith journey is about, and sometimes it seems we do better at talking about the journey than we do actually living it. Thanks, Dennis! You are a blessing! |
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| I'm with Jay,I think I'd be flat on my face & the only thing I'd be able to say is thank you.We get so picky over doctorine sometimes it's sad.The saved are all going to be in heaven with Jesus one day.We should be more concerned about reaching others and our relationship with Him than things that won't amount to a hill of beans when we bow at His feet some day. |
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Tell me what it was like to create the worlds... |
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ali |
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July 12, 2007 at 8:33am |
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| I think I would let him do the talking :) |
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Cathy |
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July 12, 2007 at 8:35am |
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| What was the answer to question 6 on the SAT test |
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Kathy |
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July 12, 2007 at 10:47am |
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Although doctirines are important, to keep us from blowing wherever the wind takes us, they are certainly not on the same spiritual level as our relationship with God and others! I'm with you, racunpoodle!
I like that question, Voice! I suspect the answer would surprise every one of us!
Ali, welcome to MyChurch! It's nice to meet you! I don't want to hear myself talking at that moment either!
Cathy, lol! His answer may not be the one the testing board wants. Try c! |
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Lora |
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July 12, 2007 at 7:56pm |
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| Hey Kathy, I should say that I didn't make up the part about Martha being a "Martha Stewart." :) I've read that in several Christian nonfiction books. It's a good modern way to describe Martha of Bethany! |
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| What was going through your mind when you first felt the touch of your mom? |
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Jesus what were you thinking chasing after a junkie like me all those years as I frantically chased after whatever would make me feel good now.
I dunno but I sure thank you for it now. |
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Norm |
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July 14, 2007 at 1:50am |
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I said this way up top. In heaven I don't think we'll have questions, but that doesn't mean that some things don't need to be answered while here on earth. If anything God related question shouldn't be asked here because we'll know when we get to Heaven, we wouldn't need "Why I need you?" answered. Yeah I know that sounds sacreligious, however the Bible does say 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; so maybe we'd be OK if we thought we had it worked out. My point on the matter is that as I walk through daily life with Jesus, I have questions and places where I'm confused. Should I not ask them? Should I not seek to know him better? If I have an answer and someone asks, should I just say, "Hey you know when you die, that question you just asked will be trivial." In the case of the question above though, it may make a big difference whether you get it answered now... or whether you get it answered later. Rich Mullins had the following quote: God spoke to Balaam through his (donkey), and he has been speaking through (donkeys) ever since. So if God should choose to speak through you, you need not think to highly of yourself. If God can speak through a donkey, this probably means I should at least listen to other's opinions. Which means I have to digest what they say, the questions they ask, the clarity they might bring to some subject regarding God and hold it up the Biblical reflection and voice of the Holy Spirit. However part of interactive listening is making sure I understand what they said and why they say it. In the end though, it is all about walking with God. It is about getting to know Jesus. I just don't know how we can do it (now) without questions. |
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Norm, given you or a donkey, I'll take you any day, bro!!
I do believe, though, that our curiosity is something that makes us unique. Something that is a part of His image and I truly hope it doesn't go away. I love investigating things and finding out why or how or how come or where...while the answers may all be there, I want to still seek Him with everything there is inside of me... |
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What I would ask Jesus if I saw him at the farmer's market:
"I don't need to know 'why', but I desperately need to know that it mattered.
Did it serve Your purpose? Did it bring You glory and honor? Did it bring one soul closer to You?"
- and -
"Why is there such beauty in scars? Could You please show me how to see them as You see them?" |
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