The words of our text seem quite simple. If that is the case, can we apply them to our lives today? We know that Jesus was talking to his disciples shortly after he led them to observe the first Lord’s supper and the prophecy he made about Peter’s upcoming denial. Let it be known to all the world that Jesus was speaking to us as well. This is the reason we must pay closer attention to our text.
Christ recognized that they were troubled. It was disturbing to hear Jesus speak of the soon murder he would experience and the betrayal that led to it. That was not all Jesus had in mind. This was a prophetic statement as well. If it was a matter of dealing with his murder, it would be no different what many other people that have experienced sorrow and loneliness. He looked ahead and saw the hardships and sacrifices they would be making in the years to come as they would evangelize others about the risen Lord. Their dejection over his coming crucifixion would last only three days. Their troubles would begin and be amplified for the rest of their lives as they obeyed his call to reach out to those who needed to hear of salvation, healing, hope, and comfort.
To overcome these troubles in the near or distant future, as in our case also, we must have an object of faith which must be in the Lord God and Jesus Christ. They have already seen Jesus reflect faith to the Heavenly Father. So would his disciples need to pick up the banner of faith. Their cursory level of faith as Jews operating in the element of the Mosaic law must rise to the highest level possible, to God himself directly.
In verse two Jesus reported the reality of many mansions in the Father’s house. He was offering assurance to every single believer that he was telling the truth about those mansions which would be another place to live in eternity. He said he was preparing a place. It would not be a place of brick-and-mortar. It would be so designed that would bring joy to the occupant of each unique place. The coming delight would be as a result of enjoying his presence. Even in heaven the uniqueness of each individual’s personality has been taken into consideration by Jesus.
In verse three Jesus shares three promises. He already mentioned he was going to prepare a place that would be sculptured to make eternity heaven. The second promise is that he would come again. He is our great Shepherd and we are his sheep. There will come a day in which we will hear his voice so that we might follow him. The third promise was that believers would someday be united to him personally. Heaven will not be a place in which we will wander around trying to find something to do. We will be with him and enjoy his company experiencing a love and purpose he can only provide.
Christian Writer 