A Word for Today | John 14:2
One of the reasons that Christians think so seldom about heaven is that many do not understand the Bible’s teaching about it. On the night before His arrest, Jesus made one of the greatest statements about heaven, saying, “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?” (Jn. 14:2). Here, we learn three things about heaven, starting with Jesus’ claim that heaven is the beloved home for the family of God. Heaven is, he says, “my Father’s house,” a home where the family of God will live in love and are never forgotten. Ever since Adam was expelled from the garden of Eden for his sin, mankind has lived with a longing for home. Those who are forgiven in Christ may look forward to heaven as that home where their hearts will always be at rest.
Second, heaven is where spacious provision is made for Christ’s people. The Father’s house, He said, has “many rooms.” In ancient Palestine, a patriarch would live in a large villa, with wings and rooms constantly being added on for children, grandchildren, and their families. The image is that of “a large compound centered around a communal courtyard.” Likewise, there is plenty of room in heaven for all of God’s family. J. C. Ryle comments that “there will be room for all believers and room for all sorts, for little saints as well as great ones, for the weakest believer as well as for the strongest. The feeblest child of God need not fear there will be no place for him.”
Third, heaven is where Jesus went to prepare a place for us. Jesus left this world and returned to heaven “to prepare a place for you” (Jn. 14:2). Chiefly, Jesus prepared heaven for us by removing the obstacle of our sin through His death. Only those for whom Christ has made this preparation may dwell in those holy halls, that is, those who have trusted in the blood He shed for the forgiveness of our sins. How wonderful it is to find a room prepared after a long journey! No Christian will ever appear in heaven either unknown or unexpected, for Jesus has prepared a place there for each and every one of His own. Knowing and trusting in our prepared home in the Father’s house is Jesus’ antidote to the troubles and anxieties of life. Best of all, He added a promise: “I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (Jn. 14:3). When a believer dies, Christ comes and takes his or her spirit with Him into heaven. And one day soon, Jesus will return to the earth in “our blessed hope” (Tit. 2:13) and then “we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17). What an encouragement for those who trust in Christ today!
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Phillips