Meeting God

Matthew 3: 16 – 17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.
At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending
like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said,
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Sometimes I sit and imagine what God will say to me when I get to heaven. Will I be greeted the way I deserve? Will every transgression be tossed at my feet? Will I have to answer for every sin? This is a terrifying thought.

But this isn’t how I imagine this happening. Why?

Not because I deserve better. Not because I have earned my place. But because Jesus died for me.

When I was baptised into Jesus, I accepted the sacrifice He made for me. I completed my part of the contract of grace. I take on Jesus as a garment. He clothes me. My acceptance of Jesus and the indwelling of his spirit now change me.

When I meet God I expect to hear, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” God will welcome me, recognizing his Son not me and my sinful nature. Jesus the perfect sacrifice will usher me into the halls of the Great I Am.

I would never be in the presence of God because of my own virtue or value. Thankfully, Jesus offers me His hand. He reaches for me and welcomes me. He guides me to the King. It is as a guest of the Christ that I can approach the God of the universe.

I no longer need to try to be more than I am. I don’t need to let my sins demoralize me. I just need to take the hand offered by Jesus and continue with him. I am blessed to be with the One in whom God is well pleased!