Let’s face it . . . for some, the university they graduated from is a pretty big deal. To be able to throw out phrases like “Harvard grad” or “Yale grad” as part of a resume is worn as a badge of honor for some. And it’s not just the Ivy League schools . . . around here, being a Cougar or a Husky can be a pretty important identifier for some. And, I’m guessing it’s not just about the education, but about the school’s reputation . . . whether that reputation is attached to a sports team, or some distinctive academic prestige, you find a fair number of folks well past “college age” still talking about “their school.” So did Paul . . .

“I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know–only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to Paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.” (2Corinthians 12:2-4 NLT).

Paul did his graduate studies at GRSP, Gamaliel’s Rabbinical School of Phariseeism (Acts 22:3). There he learned the in’s and out’s of the law and the traditions of the religious elite. But his post-graduate studies . . . they occurred in a school that is out of this world . . . literally! Recruited by Jesus Himself, Paul was sent on a crash course concerning the mysteries of Messiah, and the grandeur of grace. He was welcomed into the faculty by Jesus Himself as he trekked down a self-determined road of persecution . . . and from the get go, the schooling started happening . . . “Who are You, Lord?” . . . “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” . . . lesson one complete (Acts 9:5) . . . let’s move on . . . or should I say, let’s move up!

After being saved, instead of sending him to the apostles for instruction, the Lord instead sent Paul to Arabia . . . apparently for some “alone time” and some One-on-one tutoring . . . it would be three years before Paul went to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles (Gal. 1:16-18) . . . mmm . . . three years with Jesus . . . sounds familiar . . .

And at some point during those three years, Paul’s “studies” took him to Paradise U located on a beautiful campus just past the Milky Way at the corner of Third Heaven and Eternity. So what was that like? We really don’t know . . . cause, Paul says, it was inexpressible. It was so un-earthly that Paul wasn’t sure whether or not he was there “in body” or whether it was an “out of body” experience. The words he heard . . . the teachings he experienced . . . couldn’t be conveyed in the languages of earth . . . the sort of “close encounter” that was better “felt than tell’t”. But whatever the curriculum . . . however the course material was presented . . . whoever or whatever comprised the teaching faculty . . . this alum of Paradise U was never the same again.

I don’t have much post-secondary education, but I’ve been accepted into Paradise U as well. A seat has been reserved, my name’s written in the Book. And what never ceases to amaze me, is that I never even applied . . . actually, didn’t really know the place even existed . . . instead, I was recruited. Where am I staying? In residence . . . a place that Jesus says He’s gone to prepare for me (John 14:3). Tuition? Paid in full . . . and now, I’m laying up treasures that I’ll be able to draw on when I’m there . . . and that’s in addition to the inheritance reserved for me by my Benefactor, an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away (1Peter 1:4). And when I’m there, I too will hear and learn things which are unspeakable . . . mysteries revealed as I receive my “higher education.”

But as much as the thought of being at Paradise U excites me and fills me with wonder, what I’m looking forward to more than anything else is to meeting the Headmaster and His Father. I can only imagine what it will be like to hear His words and to learn from Him directly. I know I’ll be distracted from time to time by the scars on His hands and feed . . . and I’ll probably interrupt class from time to time as I join the Third Heaven choral ensemble spontaneously declaring the praises of the Lamb . . . but I’m sure He’ll understand. Cant’ wait for classes to start . . . amen?