Heaven Open

In England during the 1800s, prisoners were taken far away from their home and sent to Australia. If you committed a crime, a judge could sentence you to punishment in Australia.

At that time, few people in England knew where Australia was. Later, some people started calling it the continent “Down Under†since the southern hemisphere is “down†on most European maps. And it is really south. In going to Australia from
England, you would cross the dangerous waters of three
oceans: the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. Sadly, many prisoners died before reaching their destination.

On finally reaching Down Under, the prisoners found Australia to be very different from England—the people, land, and climate were all unfamiliar. Life was hard, and going back home was almost impossible. Thoughts of family and friends brought rivers of tears. Many desired a reunion, but they were unable to be reunited. They were down under—forever separated from their home.

Sin can make us prisoners and drive us down under. We can feel stuck, like we are forever separated from God. Yet we have hope. Although we are down under, Jesus is able to reach the lowest depths and reunite us again with the Father. Even as Christians (being shaped by the Holy Spirit to become more
like Jesus), we continue to sin and need God’s forgiveness, but God’s grace is inexhaustible. Jesus’ death and resurrection made a way for us to be freed from sin and death and live eternally in right relationship with God. And, someday, Jesus will return to resurrect His people from the dead and live with them forever in His perfect kingdom on earth. We may be down under, but He can give us joy in place of despair and beauty instead of ashes. • Jeff Oganga Katieno

• Have you ever felt like you’re “down under?†How can Jesus bring you home (Luke 15)?

• If you want to learn more about how Jesus can rescue us, check out our “Know Jesus” page.

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 (NLT)

Read Verses:

2 Kings 2:1-12; Matthew 3:13-17; Acts 6:8-7:60