LEARNING DAILY

John 14:1-4, “Let not your heart be troubled; you 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. And you know the way to where I am going.” Jesus

Jesus has told the disciples that one of them would betray Him. He has also told Peter that he would deny Him three times. This is all in the context of Jesus suffering at the hands of the Romans, being nailed to a cross, and He was going to His Father’s house in Heaven leaving them alone to fend for themselves. Jesus speaks to the disciples to not be troubled over this; He is speaking to them to have courage in the face of what is going to happen. It is not difficult to imagine the anxiety the disciple faced in all this. They did not understand all that Jesus was speaking about. They did not have the benefit of all the study helps and ability to look back like Believers do today. Yes, they were with Jesus, but they did not always understand. Each wanted to know if he was the one going to betray Him. Peter, being Peter, once again spoke without thinking, asking why he could not follow Jesus where He was going. “I will lay down my life for Your sake!”

Jesus continues to try to encourage the disciples by telling them that He is now going to His Father’s house in heaven. Over the years, I have heard and read various thoughts about “mansions being prepared” for the followers of Jesus. There are thoughts of wonderful mansions to log cabins regarding what Believers are going to spend eternity in. I read a more thoughtful, more practical interpretation – Jesus might have meant there will be room in His Fathers’ house, in His family for all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Eternity with Jesus Christ is the result of what He was going to do, what He accomplished at Calvary’s cross. Every Believer will step into eternity at the end of their journey on a narrow way or because of the rapture taking place. Jesus did not need to prepare or build any place for His followers to live in eternity; it was already ready.

Jesus continued to try to reassure His disciples that He would come back to bring them to where He was going. Again, I’m not sure that they understood what He meant. Did they wonder how He was going to do that? He simply told them He would be the One taking them to where He was. Compare this statement with what He told the Pharisees and chief priests in John 7:32-34. He told them He was going away, they would seek Him, not find Him, and could not go where He was. Those who reject Jesus Christ will not be people who He comes to take to be where He is.

Jesus said His Followers would have troubles and trials in this world – because He had trouble. He said walking the narrow way would be difficult. It is! I would just as soon have Jesus right here beside me when I face the difficult times. I would like to talk to Him face to face, asking Him to get me through this difficulty. Maybe I could trust Him just a little more then. But, just as Jesus was trying to encourage His disciples, He is encouraging every Believer that He has already done everything that needs to be done to get us through each situation we face. Because believers have placed their faith in Him, he has sent the Holy Spirit to live in them, guiding them through each day and whatever they encounter. Believers just need to yield to Him. When they do, the words of Jesus speak clearly, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.”