On the existence of heaven

Scholars and intellectuals are many who have mocked the existence of heaven, saying it was created in the minds of wishful thinkers. But in this Gospel we note that Jesus himself would have had to been one such thinker, for clearly he expressed the reality of the world to come, as he debated the Sadducees. And he referred to those who are counted worthy (kat-axios: utterly worthy) to attain it. Who are these? Surely, if we are honest, we cannot include ourselves. Indeed only One is worthy, the Lamb  that was slain. Only Christ was without sin; everyone else is unworthy by nature. But he who alone is worthy has taken upon himself our sin, and has risen from the dead. And because of this, he grants to all who trust in him the gift of his worthiness, and they become, as he says here, the children of God, being children of the resurrection. This is a tremendous gift, given and sealed in Baptism and the Supper. Sermon for Midweek of Lent III. The video is here.