Fifteen years ago marked the earthly departure of my beautiful daughter, Eva-Marie. She transitioned to the afterlife, carried, as I believe, on angel wings into the presence of God. Reflecting on her journey and my faith, I was reading this morning in the Gospel of John about Jesus walking on water, a powerful example of what I consider Divine Transportation.
Eva Marie
In John 6:16-21, we read of a miraculous event:
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles,[b] they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. John 6:16-21
This passage illustrates an incredible instance of divine transportation. The moment the disciples welcomed Jesus into their boat, they were instantly transported to their destination, Capernaum. This wasn’t ordinary travel; it was a supernatural shift in location, a direct result of Jesus’s divine presence.
Another compelling example of divine transportation in the Bible occurs after Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian Eunuch. Following the baptism, Acts 8:39-40 recounts:
And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. Acts 8:39,40
Imagine the sheer awe of being instantly moved by the Spirit of the Lord from one location to another! Philip experienced spiritual transportation, finding himself miraculously in Azotus, ready to continue his mission. This is a powerful demonstration of God’s ability to transcend physical limitations.
The Old Testament also provides a dramatic account of divine transportation with the prophet Elijah. As Elijah prepared to pass on his ministry to Elisha, 2 Kings 2:11,12 describes a breathtaking departure:
And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more. 2 Kings 2:11,12
Elijah’s ascension to heaven in chariots of fire is perhaps the most spectacular example of divine transportation. Escorted by celestial vehicles, he was taken directly to God, bypassing natural death. This miraculous event underscores the extraordinary ways God can move his faithful servants.
Furthermore, the enigmatic figure of Enoch also exemplifies divine transportation. Genesis 5:24 simply states:
Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. Genesis 5:24
Enoch’s story, though brief, is profound. He walked faithfully with God and then, without experiencing death, was taken by God. This supernatural transportation highlights a unique intimacy with the divine, resulting in a direct passage to God’s presence.
These biblical narratives of divine transportation offer more than just fascinating stories; they provide a foundation for hope and faith, particularly when facing loss and mortality. Like Lazarus, who was resurrected by Jesus after four days, we are reminded of the power of life beyond death. Jesus proclaimed in John 11:25:
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” John 11:25
This promise of resurrection is our ultimate hope. My Eva-Marie believed in Jesus, and I trust she is now in God’s presence, reunited with her father who preceded her. While I may not expect chariots of fire for my own journey home, like Enoch, my deepest desire is to walk with God throughout my life.
Reflecting on the end of life, the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7,8 resonate deeply:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7,8
Paul’s powerful declaration encourages us to:
- Fight the good fight
- Finish the race
- Keep the faith
By living a life of faith, we too can anticipate our own form of divine transportation, a transition to eternal life prepared by Jesus.
Let’s meet up in Heaven!
