In My Father’s House
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:2-4)
A few hours before He went to the cross, Jesus had a last evening with His disciples. One of the comforting words spoken by Jesus was the assurance that there was a place for them, with Him, in heaven – in His Father’s house.
Jesus spoke with complete confidence about heaven. Jesus didn’t wonder about life beyond this earth; He knew it and told His disciples that there was room for all in heaven (many mansions). It’s technically true that a better translation would be “dwelling places.” Yet considering God’s nature, it is better to translate it mansions. Whatever dwelling place God has for us in heaven, it will be as glorious as a mansion.
There will be many such dwelling places. Jesus could see what the disciples never could – millions upon millions, even billions from every tribe, language, and nation in His Father’s house. He may have even smiled when He said, many mansions – yes, many indeed!
Jesus would go ahead to prepare a place because love prepares a welcome. With love, expectant parents prepare a room for the baby. With love, the hostess prepares for her guests. Jesus prepares a place for His people because He loves them and is confident of their arrival.
Jesus was confident because He knew He would come again to receive them. Jesus promised to come again for the disciples. This was not only in the sense of His soon resurrection or in the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus also had in mind the great gathering together of His people at the end of the age.
Best of all, we gather with Jesus: where I am, there you may be also. The entire focus of heaven is being united with Jesus. Heaven is heaven not because of streets of gold, or pearly gates, or even the presence of angels. Heaven is heaven because Jesus is there.
James Barrie wrote Peter Pan, among other works. One of his books was about his mother, Margaret Ogilvy, and growing up in Scotland. His mother endured a lot of misery in life, including the tragic death of one of her sons. Barrie wrote that his mother’s favorite Bible chapter was John 14. She read it so much that when her Bible was opened and set down, the pages naturally fell open to this place. Barrie said that when she was old and could no longer read these words, she would stoop down to her Bible and kiss the page John 14 was found.
If these promises are worth affection and devotion, how much more the Savior who made the promises and keeps them!
Click here for David’s commentary on John 14