v 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
The cynic will ask, So where is heaven? Why can’t I see it?
Whatever you might believe about heaven, its location in space and time, the nature of its inhabitants, and even if it might be worth considering as a destination, one thing is absolutely certain – it is where Jesus is. Jesus’ prayer recorded in John 17 homes in on this one really big request – he wanted his disciples to be with him, where he is, and see his glory. All other speculation about the nature of heaven pales into insignificance beside this one great reality!
I just get the feeling we shall need really dark glasses to begin with, and high UV factor cream, because the brightness of his glory, which we shall see, will be more powerful than the midday tropical sun! I really don’t want to speculate about heaven, I simply want to hang on to the fact that Jesus is there – and he wants me there too. That excites my soul in worship, strengthens my resolve to follow him in the here and now, and gives me stability when the complexities of life cause wobbles in faith and love.