John 14:1-34

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

Continuing on in John 14 we are reminded of Jesus words of comfort to His disciples at a time of great worry and tribulation and we are reminded not only of His Presence but also:

•          His Promises

Throughout the bible God gave many promises, in the Old Testament He promised the children of Israel a land flowing with milk & honey. It took a while for the promise to be fulfilled, but it was fulfilled. He also promised a Messiah, and even though that seemed to take a long time, in the New Testament it was fulfilled through the birth and death of His son Jesus the Savior. Now in John 14 we are promised that He is coming back for us, someday we’ll be with Him forever & ever. Sometimes we grow impatient as we await His return. Sometimes in the tribulation of this life we are tempted to doubt but the scripture says, “You can trust the promises of God and this promise will be fulfilled too.” 

The Bible uses a lot of different words to describe heaven. In one place it is called “a country” indicating the vastness of heaven. In another it is called “a city” indicating the community of heaven. It is called “a kingdom” indicating that there is a governmental structure to it all. It is called “paradise” indicating its beauty and desirability. But here it is called, “My Father’s house,” & that is another way of saying, “It is home.” Home is a place where you can be yourself, where you can kick off your shoes and relax, where you’re always accepted & loved. Home is a place where you are not just a guest but a resident because you live there. Jesus reminds us that in His Father’s house are many rooms, the King James Version says, “many mansions.” and as much as I like that word the real meaning has its focus on a dwelling place. Home is that place where you dwell, where you belong. Jesus is saying, “I’m going to take you to My Father’s house and it will be your home too. You’ll be a part of the family. You’ll be home where you belong.” Today as I prepare to do the funeral for Virginia, a beautiful saint of God I am tankful for our home in heaven. I am reminded that much of me is already there. My name is written there, my citizenship is there, my God is there, my Savior is there, my inheritance is there, and many of my loved ones are there. So much of me is already there, soon His promise will be fulfilled, and I will be in my Father’s house.

We can trust in His presence and His promises but He also says we have to Trust in:

• HIM

Jesus is saying, “Trust in Me.” In verses 4-6 Jesus says, “`You know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to Him, `Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, `I am the way & the truth & the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

What a wonderful promise, He is the way. He is saying, “I’m not just going to show you the way, or tell you the way, or write out the instructions on how to get there. I’m going to come & take you by the hand to My Father’s house. Then you’ll be home.” Do you have burdens that you think you cannot bear? Are you troubled? Are you worried or anxious? Do you feel empty inside? Do you feel lonely? Do you feel lost? Are you confused? Whatever your burdens the solution to a troubled heart is still the same, to trust, to trust in Him. “I’ll never leave you,” He said. “I’ll always be beside you. 

Have you found the way? Have you found Jesus? When we believe and receive the free gift of eternal life He turns our tragedy into triumph.