Will you see your loved ones in heaven? Jesus’ answer to that is a resounding yes! New Testament images for heaven are all images of people in community with one another as well as with God. It makes sense—since, according to Jesus, the core of the Christian life is to love God and love others, these elements are at the heart of what heaven is.

So Jesus’ number one image for heaven is a feast—and specifically a marriage feast. It is an image of people coming together in joy in a celebration of love. What a marvelous image for heaven! But it is not only an image for our future hope. It is an image of how we are meant to live together today—sharing in love with God and with one another, rejoicing in the bounty of God’s grace.

Of course, to go to a wedding feast, you have to answer the invitation! We are each invited to come to Christ in faith and to join in a fellowship with God that will endure forever.

Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Matthew 22:1–14
Isaiah 25:6–9
Revelation 19:6–9

About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.