A Man I Never Knew

I walked out of my office and into the church parking lot recently just as an older couple was pulling in to visit our church bookstore. As the husband rolled down the window, I recognized him as the son of an old pastor, long since departed to glory. That old pastor had been the pastor of my grandparents in their older years and, before his death, had told me some about my grandparents’ lives and faith.

My grandfather died when I was just three years old. My earliest childhood memory is of him sitting in a chair in his home. I don’t remember anything else about him; just seeing him, an old man sitting in a chair. I never had any meaningful conversations, don’t remember playing with him or giving him a hug or any of the other things grandpas do with their grandchildren. I’ve always wished I had known him.

So, I was delighted to hear this pastor’s son tell me about visiting with my grandfather. The man told me that my grandparents’ house was near his boyhood school. On good weather days, my grandfather-to-be would sit out on the porch and the two would talk. The man told me about my grandfather’s sense of humor and kind disposition. How I loved hearing these stories about this man I never knew.

My grandfather came to Christ as a middle aged man. His life was dramatically changed by the power of the gospel. A life of drink and profanity, of pain and loss, of frustration and anger was changed by the forgiveness and purpose found in his new life in Christ.

While I know many stories about my grandfather, I never knew him. My father told me about the dramatic changes in my grandfather. My mother told me about his kindness to her when she entered the family. Relatives have told me about his actions and antics. But I never knew him. And this makes me look forward to heaven all the more.

There are many things about heaven that I look forward to. I want to bow in worship before the Lord Jesus who died for me and to see his hands and head that were scarred as payment for my sins. I want to see that beautiful, bright and massive new Jerusalem described in Revelation 21. I want to meet all the heroes of faith described in the 11th chapter of Hebrews. And there are so many friends and family I want to see again; those who have gone before me.

But I also look forward to seeing a man I never knew. I want to spend time with the man who sits in that chair in my childhood memory. I want to talk to the man whose conversion changed the trajectory of my family.

However you picture heaven, it is greater than that, I’m sure. The wonders and responsibilities and discoveries that will be ours are beyond our ability to fully grasp yet. But I was reminded in the church parking lot of great things still to come. I want to urge you to give your life to Christ as your own Savior and Lord. I want to encourage you to be sure that you know Jesus personally and that you have experienced his mercy and grace. I want you to be sure that heaven will be your home one day.

And then, let’s plan to meet and talk a bit there in heaven. I’ll introduce you to my grandfather.