We Will Be With Jesus

“Let not your hearts be troubled. 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.”

(John 14:1-3)

Meditation

We tend to read this passage solemnly, as if Jesus was speaking softly, while delivering the sad news that he would be leaving soon. I don’t think that’s what was going on at all. I see Jesus as being very excited, grinning from ear-to-ear as he’s telling the twelve men he loved about their reward. Moving from one apostle to the next, staring directly into each face, he tries to make them understand that which cannot be understood. He already knew the splendors of heaven, so he was trying to impart some of that to the twelve. However, the feeble mind of man is not equipped to comprehend what paradise will really be like. Our frame of reference is too limited.

My simple mind cannot comprehend what awaits us in the Father’s House, although, I try. We have always seen images of people sitting on the clouds, playing harps in heaven. I know it’s much more than that but if all we do is play harps and sing praises to the Father, I would still rather be there than the alternative. I want heaven to be even more beautiful and wondrous than any author has ever put forth. The descriptions I’ve read all describe heaven with vivid colors. Even the men, such as the Apostle John, who were taken to heaven in the spirit, could not adequately describe what they saw. I personally, cannot wait to see what the Father has in store for us.

Jesus wants nothing more than to come on the clouds above the earth and call every one of us up to him. Yet, he must wait for the Father’s command to retrieve his Bride, his Church. As much as we wish to go to heaven, remember it’s just a place, albeit a glorious place. It’s like our house of worship here on earth. We don’t love and worship God, so we can go to heaven; we go to heaven, so we can love and worship God. Keeping God and the redemptive work of Jesus first and foremost in our hearts will prepare us for that room in the Father’s house.

Prayer Time

Heavenly Father you make all things new, including our hearts of stone. We were once dead in our sins, but you gave us Jesus to take away our iniquities. We thank you for the promise of home in the afterlife. We cannot imagine what this Father’s house will really be like, but we’re certain it will be even more amazing than anyone ever thought. Not because of the beauty of the location, but because our Lord and Savior will be there as well. We rest confidently on you to protect our souls no matter what happens to our physical bodies. We ask you, Father, to continue to be patient with us, forgiving us when we fall. When doubts come into our minds, help us to listen for the Holy Spirit’s comforting words. We wait as patiently as we’re able for this promise of your return. We want nothing more than to be with you every day. Lord help us to be your light to the dark and fallen world around us. Never let us want to sit back and wait for your return. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!