Martin Sparkman of McLean, VA tells about a friend of his son's whose grandmother died. Everyone tried to explain to this six-year-old what happened to his grandmother. The usual explanations were given. "Your grandmother," they said, "has gone to be with Jesus in heaven." Not having seen her leave and having no concept of travel without a car, his question should not have come as a surprise. Out of profound innocence he asked, "Did they build a road to heaven?" Good question. Is there a road to Heaven? How do you get to Heaven, anyway?

We talk so little about Heaven in the contemporary church except perhaps at Easter and at funerals. Maybe it's time for Easter in November. Death, after all, does not take a holiday. And a funeral is not the best time to talk about anything meaningful. Our…