The Gospel Of John Chapter 14 Pt. 1 Jesus Went To Prepare A Home In Heaven For Us!
Remember the chapter divisions in our Bible, were inserted by God-fearing men, who sought to help us navigate the scriptures better.
John 13 clearly flows into John 14, so it helps to retain the context we studied from John 13.
In chapter 13, the disciples made preparation for the Passover, but they neglected to appoint someone to wash their feet.
Jesus took the position of a slave and washed all of their feet, as an example of humility and servanthood, for His disciples to follow.
Then, Jesus reminded them that He is both Lord and Master, and that the servants are not greater than their masters. Therefore, they should be prepared to serve others as He served them.
The next aspect of the Passover was Jesus announcing that someone was going to betray Him. Peter signaled to John to ask the Lord which one of them it was.
Jesus replied that it was the person to whom He gave a sop, and then He gave it to Judas.
The wheels of betrayal were set into motion, but the next thing Jesus spoke of was glory.
Christ's suffering, His cross, His death, His resurrection and His ascension to the Father were all glorious things to talk about.
The chapter ends with Jesus giving them a new commandment, to love one another. Jesus then foretold that Peter would deny Him three times.
Let Jesus Christ deal with your troubled heart.
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
The next chapter begins with words of hope. God alone can deal with our heart troubles, and in this life we will face many troubles.
We must learn to cast our cares upon Jehovah because He cares for us!
Then, Jesus gave us two imperatives, Believe in God the Father and believe in God the Son.
Place our confidence in God, and in Jesus Christ as the only Mediator. Between God and man. Believers can expect sure and steady support from God, through faith in Jesus Christ.
At this point, disciples began to lose all hope of a secular kingdom, were Israel would be governing the nations. Discouragement began to fill their hearts with troubles, doubts and fears.
But Jesus Christ promised them a spiritual and heavenly inheritance, and thus He lifted up their sorrowing hearts.
A mansion in glory awaits believers in Christ.
John 14:2 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.
Heaven is a house! It is not a tent or tabernacle that stays in one place temporarily.
Nor is it like Solomon's temple made of beautiful stones, expensive timbers and lavish coverings.
The Father's house is a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
The idea of mansions is that of a permanent, eternal dwelling place for us in heaven.
Wherever Jesus would have His disciples go, He goes first Himself. Through the door which He has opened Jesus draws us by His love.
Thus, our Lord leads us by example. He went away to the Father to prepare a place for us, so that we might prepare ourselves to make the same journey.
God cannot lie and His promises are sure!
Titus 1:1-2 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2) In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Jesus anchors His promise to the absolute veracity of His Word. Man is to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (See Matthew 4:4).
Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh and He cannot lie, because He is God (See Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Psalm 89:35; Romans 3:4; 2 Timothy 2:13).
Jesus said there are many mansions and this means there is room for all who hear and heed the gospel. The Father prepares a place, a heavenly home for each child of God.
Our heavenly home will be an enduring dwelling, not at all like an earthly home. Our earthly homes quickly begin to decay if we do not keep up on its maintenance.
The house itself is lasting and our place in it is for eternity. Though we may give up much, when we take up our cross and follow Christ, we will be liberally rewarded when we reach our heavenly home.
One final promise in this text. Jesus returned to the Father in heaven to prepare "a place for you."
Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ is to all nations and peoples. God is not excluding anyone from entering heaven. However, Jesus is the only door and no man comes to the Father except by faith in Jesus Christ, God's Son.
The Father's house is full of glory and light.
Revelation 21:22-23 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23) And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
The Father's house is filled with His glory at all times. Glory from the Lamb of God and the Father, fill the Father's house with light brighter than the sun.
The Father's house is custom built by God for us!
Hebrews 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 11 is the "Faith Chapter" in our Bible. It lists our many notable men and women of faith from the Old Testament to encourage us as we walk through this life.
When Jesus tells us there are many mansions in His Father's house, we must look upward, anticipating a city with eternal foundations, that is constructed by God Himself.
This truth is meant to fill our hearts with a desire for our heavenly home, which is far better than anything the world may offer.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Here is an unbreakable promise from Jesus Christ. "I am going back to my Father. I am going there to prepare a place for you and all who believe the gospel."
Believe and trust God's word that Jesus Christ will certainly come again in due time, to bring Christians to that blessed heavenly dwelling place.
Until Jesus comes back to receive us, He is busy preparing our heavenly home and functioning as our Eternal High Priest.
These words are so simple that a child can understand them. Christ has gone to prepare a place for us in the house of His Father. What more assurance do we need?
Jesus' promise is enough to give us an exhilarating hope and joy which are necessary for righteous living.
It is enough to invigorate our faith which is easily troubled by the world around us.
This promise is enough to sustain our courage which is likely to give way, under the recurring shocks of earthly troubles.
Here is another unbreakable promise from Jesus Christ. "I will come again." This verb is very strong in the Greek, indicating the absolute certainty that Jesus will come again.
Our belief in Christ's second coming, is a secure promise, because Jesus has given us His assurance. His promise about our eternal abode, is a strong antidote against the troubles of our heart, (See Philippians 4:5; James 5:8).
The blessed truth that Jesus will come again to receive all His faithful followers to Himself should fill us with a settled soul.
This same verb (come again) is used in speaking of Jesus coming at the resurrection of life, and the rapture of the church.
However, it is also used in connection with Jesus returning seven years later, in flaming fire to judge the wicked and antichrist.
We spent some time in this blog recently, looking at every New Testament text from Acts to Jude, that teach about the second coming of Christ. It is a joyous event that all believers look forward to.
There is one more unbreakable promise to us, from the Lord Jesus Christ. "I will receive you unto my self."
Thoughts to Ponder...
Jesus made a way for every sinner to be born again into the family of God.
Let all Christians be faithful to share the gospel with those who do not know Christ.
Let us be eagerly awaiting our Lord's return, with full assurance that He will keep every promise that He has made.
Let us give our Lord all the troubles of our heart, casting them upon Him for He cares for each one of us.
Let us live in anticipation of that great, glorious day, when Jesus Christ returns and our faith is made sight!
Bob
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