September 2, 2023
The Father’s Provision To His Children
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:1-2 (NASB)
As a kid, our family had a set dinner time. Before dinner, I was outside playing, dad was working, and mom was preparing dinner. When it was time, Mom called us inside. We all sat together for dinner. During dinner, we talked about our day. After the daily things were discussed like, “Did you do your homework?” and “Did you do your chores?” Dad spoke. When my father spoke, everyone listened. He would tell Mom and us what we were going to do in the following days or weeks. We listened quietly because you did not cross my father. It invited punishment, and my dad wielded his belt with masterful precision. This reminds me a little of today’s passage (minus the whippings). The disciples discussed daily things, and then Jesus (like my dad) spoke. When Jesus spoke, it was time to listen. On this night the disciples had no idea what Jesus was about to say. It wasn’t a conversation about tomorrow, but eternity.
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places…” There was a pause in the room after Jesus’ last conversation with Peter. I am sure it got uncomfortably quiet. Peter had just been shut down (vs. 38). Peter would deny Jesus, but Judas would betray Him. But Jesus’ resolve remained, “Do not let your heart be troubled.” He told the disciples, “Believe in God, believe also in Me,” as if to say “Let us pause for a moment guys. Trust Me.” “If you trust God, trust Me.” Then Jesus gave the disciples a picture of heaven, and told them of His plans, so He could receive them one day. “We now come to that portion of the evangelical history which we may with propriety call its Holy of Holies. Our Evangelist, like a consecrated priest, alone opens up to us the view into this sanctuary. It is the record of the last moments spent by the Lord among His disciples before His passion when words full of heavenly thought flowed from His sacred lips. All that His heart, glowing with love, had still to say to His friends, was compressed into this short season.”[1] Conversations often happen at dinner tables for those who still take time. During dinner, conversations were common with the disciples, like catching up on the day or week. Afterward, the time came when Jesus (as Authority from the Father) had something to say to the disciples. Their bellies were full, but now it was time for heavenly food which would carry them far beyond the next meal. This meal, however; was a meal which all would remember for the rest of their days (as Communion). Its topic though, dealt with what happens after the meal, and their lifetime. It dealt with eternity. “for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you,”
Jesus has prepared a place for those who have trusted in faith in His saving power. One day we will all get to go there. Make no mistake though, there is a place for those who are His, and there is a place for all who reject Him (Hell). Hell is a real place that was never designed for mankind. It was made for Satan and his fallen angels. When mankind rejects God’s invitation to salvation, he is responsible for the outcome. Like my dad, don’t miss out when Jesus speaks. Otherwise, you could render yourself in an unreconcilable condition, and the whipping is not the only eternal thing that will be unbearable.
[1] Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 155). Logos Research Systems, Inc.