John 14:1-4

When the disciples gathered for this evening meal, they had little idea how significant this evening would be for them. Jesus unexpectedly washes their feet, exposes Judas as his betrayer, gives them a new command of love, and even challenges the resolve of one of the most passionate disciples.

Yet, what shook the disciples the most was the announcement from Jesus that He would soon be leaving this world and that the disciples could not yet follow Him. He speaks words of comfort to these men…

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4 NIV

Jesus encourages these men not to become distressed by His announcement. He had told them that the time would come that He would have to lay His life down as a ransom or many. That time had now come. Eternal life would be waiting for them after they carried out the mission Jesus has given them. With His ascension into heaven after His death and resurrection, Jesus will have prepared the eternal resting place, the “Father’s house”, for them and all who believe in His name and place their faith in Him.

It is easy for us to become discouraged on this side of heaven. Our world is broken, and the situation is only getting progressively worse. There are some on this earth who long for heaven in order to escape the pain of this world (can you blame them?). These words of Jesus can be an encouragement for us here in the 21st century as well. We can remember that this world is not our home, we are only passing through. By believing in Jesus placing our faith in Him, we have secured eternity with Him. No matter discouraging things may become we always have the hope of the eternal life to come.

Questions to consider:
In what ways does the current condition of the world overwhelm your heart? Do you think others feel the same way?
When has your heart ever hurt so badly that you wished to be in heaven instead of here in this world? How do you find comfort in the promises of eternal life with Jesus when you are hurting?
Asd God to remind you each day that He is in control and that when this life is over, those who have believed in Jesus will spend eternity with Him.