Verse of the Day 5-26-22

“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

Just a side note, this is a preview of what we will be discussing when we get to John chapter 14 in our journey through the Bible in one year together.

John chapter 14 begins with Jesus continuing to answer Peter’s question from the previous chapter (13) about his (Jesus’) departure. Jesus encouraged the disciples not to lose heart. He urged them to believe in him as they believed in God. As Jews, the disciples would have been shocked by the concept that Jesus is equal to God. Jesus wanted them to understand that his departure was beneficial. He was going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house. The many rooms in the Father’s house are a vivid way of depicting ample room in heaven for all of Jesus’ followers. Jesus assured them (the disciples) that they knew the way to where he was going.

Now let’s look at the phrase “my Father’s house.” This phrase clearly refers to heaven, the place to which Jesus was returning to prepare a place for his followers. God’s eternal home has many “rooms” (implying permanent “dwelling places”). Member of “God’s households” now earth will one day transfer to their eternal home with God. “For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14).

Now, lastly, let’s look at the phrase “I will come back.” As surely as Christ went to heaven, he will return to take his followers to the place prepared for them. This was the hope of New Testament Christians and it is the hope of all those who follow Christ today. And there are four big things that we should take away from this single phrase.

1. The ultimate purpose of the Lord’s return is that his faithful people may be with him forever.
2. The words “take you to be with me” refer to the rapture, when all followers of Christ, those who are still alive at that time as well those who have already died, “will be caught up together…in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Th 4:17). This will take place suddenly and at an unexpected time.
3. Christ’s coming for his faithful followers will enable them to escape the future “hour of trial” and judgement that will come on the world in the end times.
4. The expectation of this glorious and eternal reunion should be a comfort to all who desire to “be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words” (1 Th 4:17-18).

Today’s Bible Readings:

2 Samuel 9-11, John 15, Psalm 119:49-64 and Proverbs 16:1-3