Heaven or Halakah

The idea of "e;going to heaven"e; is more a matter of tradition than sound biblical interpretation. Often referenced to support the notion of a heavenly afterlife, John 14 is a staple of Christian funerals. The promise of "e;many rooms"e; in the "e;Father's house"e; is typically interpreted as Jesus' assurance that he will return to usher believers into "e;heaven."e; However, John 14 has much more to say about how we live than what happens when we die. A closer look at John 14 in the broader context of the Gospel reveals that "e;the Father's house"e; is not a designation for heaven, but a reference to God's household of faith. In his going away and coming again, Jesus doesn't transport his followers to "e;heaven,"e; but rather prepares the way into the presence of God by going to the cross. As Christ walks in cruciform obedience, he models a new way of walking with God, a new halakah based on intimate, relational faith. By following the halakah of Jesus, through the power of the Spirit-Paraclete, believers are equipped to carry out God's will upon the earth and spread his redemptive mission throughout creation.