September 27, 2022 – Reflections on “I Go To Prepare a Place for You!”
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1-3.
Long ago, these verses caught my heart. The first verse tells me why worry and fear and concern fall away when I believe in God and His Only Son, Jesus.
The second verse contains a picture of a forever promise. Jesus is preparing a place for you and me. He comes again to take us Home with Him. There is no rent or 30-year loan on this home. This is a gift through Jesus Christ, Who has access to God the Father. There is a place called Heaven. This is Home.
How do we receive this gift? Decide to follow Jesus. Jesus said to him, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
How close is this Father and Son duo? What are we to believe? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me, I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:10-12.
How do we pray? Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 13-14.
When Jesus rose after his death to be with His Father in Heaven, did He vanish from the earth? No, He asked His Father to send the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, to be our guide forever. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17.
Judas, the betrayer, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us and not the world?”
Jesus answers,” If anyone loves me, He will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine, but the Father’s, who sent me.” John 14:23-24.
What a magnificent gift did God and Jesus leave us? “Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you. ‘If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.” John 14:27-28.
Who is this Jesus? Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Hebrews 1:1-4.
What has Jesus promised us? We can be sure that it will be so, For Jesus is the Truth. He is with us always. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
How we hate hearing the word “NO”! Life in Jesus is YES! For all the promises of God find their ‘Yes’ in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20.
We all desire rest–and here is a Promise that promises rest. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29.
We want life filled to the brim, and this Jesus promises in John 10:10. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
What happens after we die? As Jesus asked for water, He said to the woman at the well, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14.
There are many more precious thoughts in His Word that are promised when we choose to serve our Lord Jesus. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23.
What is the next-to-last verse in the Bible? He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20.
What is it you desire more than anything? “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You.” Psalm 73:25.