[BUMPED TO TOP (again). Originally published June 30th, 2012]
Going deep on 1st John 5 this morning (what an amazing text!), I realized that I’m especially looking forward to meeting the Apostle John someday. (Meeting Jesus goes without saying.) I’d want to ask him what it was like to be the “last man standing” as it were, after all of the other Apostles were gone. E.g., how did he avoid loneliness? Not just on Patmos, but even before that. What about the temptation to pride? (Surely many were seeking him out and giving him special treatment.)
- Which Biblical author or character* are you most looking forward to meeting?
- Why?
- What question would you most like to ask that individual?
(Let’s assume that we’re all looking forward to meeting God, in any of His three persons. I’m trying to get at persons outside the Trinity.)
*The term ‘character’ might be misconstrued to imply that the scriptures are fictional, and that at least some of the individuals chronicled in them are allegorical. That is not my intention. While the stories which are told explicitly as parables should be taken that way, others, which are often taken such parables, such as Lazarus and the rich man, are framed so as to invite us (I believe) into their reality — in that case, a spiritual one beyond this realm. I digress, but you get the idea.
Good question, I’m actually going to be looking for the folks who’s jaw drops when they find out I’m there. Hopefully I can keep my jaw from doing the same with surprise when I see who’s there. The reason I’ll be doing this is it isn’t about who we think is worthy of heaven, but who G-d has brought in. We need to keep in mind the line from the Lord’s Prayer “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive others.”
By: tigger23505 on July 14, 2012
at 4:19 pm
I wanted to reply to this when you first posted it, but because of so many things it got away from me. I would love to talk with James the brother of Jesus who didn’t believe Jesus was the messiah for some time as I understand it. What it was like to grow up with Jesus, must surely be a story by itself.
Also, one individual I go back and read about again and again is Elijah. I can so relate to him running in fear of his life, thinking he was the only one left and taunting the prophets of Baal and then having God prove himself to the amazement of all!
I also would love to talk with Mary and Esther and Mary and Martha. So many wonderful people to talk with about our Lord. What a time that will be.
Kim
By: Kim on July 13, 2012
at 9:42 pm
Phin’ehas the son of Elea’zar in Numbers 25 for he responded to the Spirit of God instantly and did the difficult thing God tasked him to do. He was honored by the LORD for his obedience and his zeal for the LORD and promised that his children would continue the priesthood. Honestly have not heard any sermons about this, but it would be interesting!!! You could think that the Saul in the new testament might have modeled himself after him in his zeal but thanks be to God that he was changed by Jesus to use his zeal in the LORD’s new covenant way.
By: Arnie Fishman on July 7, 2012
at 1:08 pm
Joseph. because he was the ultimate in earthly daddies. He might have been able to read, or might not, but he knew he loved Mary, and that Baby. Everyone dreams. He was really tuned in to his dreams, enough, at least, to hear and heed the warning to flee to Egypt. Yeah, I’d like to emulate him, while I’m still in this world, and to meet him in the next. I’d like to st down with Luke, also. He was a very literate man, best Greek writer in the NT. He could tell a tale, and he probably has a lot more of them.
I’d also like to have a long chat with Naomi. There had to be something special about her, that Ruth and Orpah were so attached to her. She was a womanly woman, full of wisdom, as well as her clear attractiveness as a person.I am taken by her kindly wisdom in her instructions to Ruth, about how to draw Boaz to herself. Her wise and gentle strength reminds me greatly of my great grandmother, who was so important in drawing me into faith. I’m guessing that Ruth wanted that joy inside her, too. It was certainly that way for me, with Mama Callicoatte.
By: Michael Adams on July 6, 2012
at 11:46 pm
When I wrote this originally, I was thinking mainly of Biblical authors. Many of you have proposed wonderful Biblical characters I had not thought of. Listening to this, by John MacArthur, ‘Theology of Sleep’ (~1-hour running time, H/T: Bill) I’m going to augment my first response to include the Christ-confessing thief on the cross (see Luke 23:32-43).
By: Art on July 6, 2012
at 5:32 pm
I’d like to meet the rich young ruler to find out if he did decide to follow Christ’s admonition to give up his riches to follow Him. The contrast between how we give altar calls today and what Jesus told this man is striking to me. Jesus in essence told this young man to count the cost before making the decision to follow Him. Today we tell people to say a sinner’s prayer and “accept Jesus into your heart.” If the rich young man walked down the church aisle today no one would ask him the same question that Jesus did. Instead we would get him to “join the church” ASAP. Salvation is indeed given freely, but it will cost you everything.
By: Stuart on July 4, 2012
at 3:18 pm
Some nice ones here I would not have thought about, like Mary or Eve.
What about Adam though? Would be nice to get his perspective on events. Did he realize fully what he was doing when he sinned with Eve or could it have been a conscious choice to stick with her?
What about Judas? How much free choice is a person left with, once there is a prophecy on your life? He killed himself afterwards, so he must have realized what he did…
I would really like to pick any of the prophet’s brains on the Day of the Lord and the coming of Jesus: like John, Daniel or Isaiah.
And the rest was named already: Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Paul, Job, John the Baptist, Elijah, Elisha, Moses.
Are we limited to Humans? Would be interesting to get an Angel’s perspective on things, like Michael or Gabriel…
By: Warrior on July 4, 2012
at 10:50 am
Great question. My first reflex was to answer James, because I so love his epistle. But actually, I want to hear his advice now, for use in this world.
For afterlife conversations, it would absolutely have to be Eve. What burdens she must have borne! How especially joyful she must have been at the coming of Christ. I’d ask her, of course, what the world was like before the Fall, and then how she managed to keep going afterward.
By: Whom Shall I Fear? on July 3, 2012
at 6:20 pm
Still thinking…:)
John, ” the disciple whom Jesus loved” finished his Gospel with “But there are also many other things which Jesus did…the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” Jn 21:25
Moses, who would lead God’s People out of Egypt yet for all his “upbringing” doubted his ability to speak adequately of the message he was to deliver. He even asked that someone else speak them (Aaron). He spoke with God and his face shone. Paul called it “splendor” in 2 Cor. 3:4 -18.
By: Barbara on July 3, 2012
at 12:01 pm
Hi Art,
Given that others have chosen some that I’d like to meet and in order to not repeat their choices, I would like to meet either Shadrack, Meshack or Abednego…for them to have calmly stated that “we will NOT bow down to you or your gods and are fully confident that OUR God will save us no matter what you do to us” is as rock-steady in the faith as it gets…
By: BostonRog on July 3, 2012
at 8:18 am
I’d have to say Mary, the mother of Jesus. I would love to get her perspective about watching what happened to her son. Since I have a son, and now a grandson that is 5 months old that I would die for myself… I cannot fathom what that woman went through. How horrific to see your son tortured to death. She stayed with him to the end and beyond, and had to have suffered every wound with him, too! I want to offer her my thanks for being that willing vessel….and NO I am not Catholic and do not revere Mary… I am just a mother, myself.
[ART: Indeed. I've always marveled at how she "treasured these things in her heart," meaning, basically, as I read it, that she had total intimacy with God, and that nobody else on the planet was going to understand for a very long time, if at all. Indeed, thanks for the qualifier. There is Mary the super-humble, God-fearing woman, and then there is the Mary-impersonator who draws worship to itself and away from Christ Jesus. Many idolatrous statues in my town bear witness to that atrocity.]
By: Diane on July 2, 2012
at 9:26 pm
The man crucified to the right of Jesus, because it is not too late to be saved.
By: Hopeful_watcher on July 2, 2012
at 9:36 am
A number of you have listed some great choices! So as not to repeat those already mentioned, I’d also consider Noah, Lot, Elijah, or Elisha.
Noah to hear of what he endured during years of obedience to God’s seemingly odd warning/instruction, and then to see its fulfillment and his perfect preservation through it.
Lot, while not a favorite Biblical character, but out of curiosity to hear about what Sodom was really like and how it compared to our modern society, and why he continued living there despite the wickedness.
Elijah to hear further account of the miracles and works God commanded and enabled him to do.
Elisha because the events of 2nd Kings 2 are among my favorite in all of Scripture and I want to hear more about them.
By: Ice2Sea on July 1, 2012
at 9:23 pm
After a lifetime of living in severe poverty, relying on the grace and mercy of others, at a time in history when there appears to be little grace or mercy, the beggar at Jerusalem’s gate.is instantaneously able to see.
What an allegory of what Jesus does for us when He gives us Father’s most precious gift of Salvation,
He lifts us from the filth of the world. Washes us off and gives us all His grace and mercy.
Through His gracious Spirit, He gives us sight to see, “with eyes to see”, the spiritual world and teaches us our place in it.
Now able to see, the beggar can make his way IN the world while not being OF the world,
There are so many aspects of what Father’s “Secrete Plan” did for us in this one little story. Praise Father!!
The beggar may have been given the job in heaven of signing, “Praise be to the Father. Holy, Holy, Holy, is our Lord God Almighty” His story is going to be incredible!
By: Michael on July 1, 2012
at 6:43 pm
John the Baptist…the ultimate argument for ‘life beginning at conception’… he was ‘tuned in’ while in the womb
! His ‘chosen’ minimalist lifestyle and non-worldly walk, his relationship to Jesus…physically and spiritually, and, the important job he was sent here to do…VERY special individual, to me.
By: Kelle on July 1, 2012
at 4:31 pm
Great question. King David. I’ve always been fascinated with his all or nothing attitude for God. Yes, he messed up, e.g., affairs, etc., but he was still a man after God’s heart. He never lost his zeal or passion for serving God, even after he became prosperous. His psalms are beautiful. I would ask what his prayer life was like. What did he specially ask for most of the time? I’m sure his dialogue with God and how he communicated with Him would reveal a lot about why he was a man after God’s own heart.
By: Jeremy Russell on July 1, 2012
at 11:06 am
I am going to make the rounds, I have a hard time picking a favorite but Joseph (son of Jacob), is one that really stands out to me. He, being called of God to a purpose seem to know God well at a tender age. Had to deal with rejection and isolation even in the midst of a large family. It is not recorded that he ever complained once. He faced many uncertainties with only the Lord as His help. His faithfulness was integral in Gods plan. If I were able to attain just a portion of His steadfastness. Lord thank you for the record of faithfulness AND the record of failure in the lives of those you have called to yourself. Great question brother as it helps to get our thinking a little higher than 5-6 feet off the ground.
By: jeff on July 1, 2012
at 3:28 am
What an awesome question you put forth. Thank you!
Without a doubt for me it would be Paul. I just look at all those who I love around me and think that if Paul can find the Lord than anyone can. I know that much of his work on earth was due to a love of God and faith, but there are certain things he writes that you know comes from so much pain and guilt I just want to hug him as a brother. The Lord picked him out special because He knows that those who travel the furthest to come to Jesus love the most enthusiastically.
By: Hopeful_watcher on June 30, 2012
at 10:13 pm
Thank you for pointing out the years of Enoch. I was thinking of Methuselah when I stated the longest age, but Enoch as to his walk with God.
Thank you so much for your prayer, that is so sustaining! I willl print it out and put it in my Bible to take with me to the hospital. My surgery is scheduled for July 30 and will involve a complete knee replacement. Let’s pray that it will enable me to walk again, or at least without the debilitating pain.
Your website gives all of us so much encouragement! Bless you.
MV
By: Mary Virginia on June 30, 2012
at 5:04 pm
There are several people with which I’d like to sit down for a good chat, but first on my list would be Job. The reason can be summed up in Job 13:15; “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him”. I read somewhere that a true rendering for the last phrase would be, “yet will I wait for Him”. He sat on that ash heap being urged by his wife to curse God and die, he lost children and as well as material wealth, he lost his health, he was assaulted verbally by ‘friends’, and ultimately, was the object of ‘trial by Satan’ (with God’s permission, might I add). God had confidence in Job’s love for Him to have let Satan sift him so; that it was God that Job loved, and not the material blessings. He refused to curse God, but had a relationship with God where he could have a true gritty conversation with Him having to do with God’s sovereignty. Ah, Job, may we sit down to chat?
By: Denise on June 30, 2012
at 11:55 am
I think that I should like to meet Enoch, the man who was on this earth the longest time, and listen to him telling of his daily walk with God. I fail so much, and his story would be so inspiring and uplifting.
By the way, Art, I will be going in for knee surgery the end of July. My arthritis has crippled me up too much to walk now. You have given me so much encouragement. God bless you.
Mary Virginia
By: Mary Virginia on June 30, 2012
at 9:05 am