Comfort for Troubled Hearts (John 14:2-3)
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? ³And 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 14:2-3
In John 14:1, Jesus tells His disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” I can imagine they were listening eagerly, hoping to hear Jesus say something that would relieve the trouble they were experiencing from the confusing and chaotic events that had led towards Jesus' last days on earth.
In their three-year journey with Jesus, they went from lowly fishermen to chosen disciples of the Messiah. They had many periods of unbelief in their journey to understand who Jesus truly was, but there were glimpses of them “coming along” in their understanding. As Peter acknowledged in John 6:68,
“You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
Indeed He was. Why then would Jesus keep referring to His death (John 8:28, 12:32), why would He leave them (John 13:33), and why couldn’t they follow Him (John 13:36)?
Jesus knew they were wrestling within themselves. He gave them the words they needed to hear—”let not your hearts be troubled”—and He knew how to comfort them:
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.
This may not have relieved their troubled feelings in the moment. It’s likely that relief came later, when they understood the Scriptures and knew that it was the will of the Father for Jesus to die, rise, and ascend to heaven. It was then that these words would be a comfort. He promised He would come again and take them to Himself.
Jesus had a place for them, and He has a place for us. It’s not just a room, but a room that He is preparing for us. What a personal and intimate reality this is for all believers. To know that Jesus, the Messiah, the King of the universe, the Mighty God is preparing a place for us that is yet to come—it’s mind boggling. I think often about that place—more now that I’m in my 60s. What will my place with Jesus be like? Who’s room will be next to mine? Will we visit each other? Will we entertain biblical heroes of old? The more I ponder it the more excited I get for that day.
But even more than the excitement of a place prepared for us by Jesus, and for our loved ones who put their trust in Him, is the comfort Jesus offers His disciples in verse 3.
“I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
The crown jewel of heaven isn’t our place, or our fellowship with other believers, or our activities in the new Jerusalem that our glorified bodies can experience, but is Jesus Himself. He is coming for us; He will bring us to Himself; He will bring us to where He is!
In the past two years, I’ve said goodbye to my 97-year-old mother and 101-year-old father. They were some of the many saints Jesus has welcomed to the place He prepared for them. They are, even now, living out what David wrote so beautifully in Psalm 27:4,
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
For Reflection
Are you in the midst of frustrating circumstances? Let Jesus' words wash over you and increase your hope for heaven.
How might you mark the Advent season this year in ways that heighten your longing for His appearing? (2 Timothy 4:8)
This world, with all of it's disappointments, sorrows, and temptations, is passing away. How does it encourage you to know that in heaven, there will be no more sin, sorrows, or tears?
Brian Eaton is the director of operations for Truth78. He enjoys teaching children and youth in the classroom and seeks to encourage Bible memorization with Fighter Verses. He and his wife Cindy are the parents of five adult children.
