Jesus will wake us up and welcome us into heaven
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9.)
Jesus Cares Ministries shares God’s Word with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and communities.
Sometimes, the Bible shares complex stories that can be hard for people to fully understand.
For Melanie Werner, the JCM coordinator at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall, Minnesota, one of those toughest lessons focuses on heaven.
“We learned we do not have to fear death because of what Jesus has done for us in his perfect life,” said Melanie. “Because he lives, we, too, will live with him in heaven.”
Helen, a JCM participant at Christ Evangelical, always struggled with this and was scared to die. Following the lesson, Melanie continued to explain that those who believe in God will be by his side in heaven, yet Helen remained afraid and struggled to understand.
At a recent JCM meeting that Pastor Curt Seefelt, TLHA’s Director of Church Relations, was attending, Melanie explained one would fall sleep and simply wake up in heaven in the presence of God. Helen had one question.
“Who will wake me up?”
“Jesus will wake you up!” Pastor Curt replied.
With pure joy and amazement, Helen understood. Since that time, two of Helen’s housemates have joined God in heaven.
Melanie explained, “Even though she struggled with the loss of her friends and is scared when she thinks of the way in which her body will die, I comforted her with the fact that Jesus is always with us here and he will wake her in heaven when it is her turn to meet him.”
Helen, like all Christians, can live her life with the understanding that death is not the end but the gateway to something so much better than what we have now. We will be with God and in the presence of Him forever.
JCM offers both Bible studies and worship services as well as our New Friends program designed for the people we serve. Our Dear Christian Friends lessons and other resources are available online.