“Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you. And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too.” —John 14:1–3
Ever experienced a heart that was stirred with agitation? More than likely Jesus looked into the faces of His disciples and saw anxiety heavy in their eyes. Our Lord, who sees the unrevealed sorrows and wounds that bleed inwardly, would certainly not have missed the many things troubling His disciples at this point. Jesus had just told them of His forthcoming departure which would occur with immense suffering. He had told them that one of their own would be a traitor and that Peter himself would deny Him three times.
Jesus would be leaving them and they could not come with Him. He was their leader. He was the One in whom they placed their hope. He was the One who was to deliver Israel! The weight of all these recent revelations must have greatly pressed upon them leaving them discouraged and depressed and feeling deserted and exposed.
In our verses for today, Jesus prescribes a sure and precious remedy for the disease of a troubled heart: Trust—both in God and in the Son. “Trust” used here means to be persuaded in the truthfulness of and to have total confidence in and reliance upon. Our trust in God and our Lord Jesus turns our troubled hearts into comforted ones, keeping us free from the agitation that confidence in our own abilities brings.
In the midst of our anxiety, we are not to be like the troubled sea when it cannot rest. Scripture encourages us with these words:
“Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:6-7
The Great Shepherd, always knowing the condition of His sheep, sweetly begins to speak in their ears these wonderful words of encouragement—rich in precious truth:
“There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you.”
These words are certainly just as true for every believer in Christ as they were when they were first spoken to Jesus’ disciples. He would indeed be going, but in His going, He would be preparing a place for them (and for us) so that we all may always and forever be where He is.
Our assurance is built on the veracity of our Lord’s word as well as the sincere love and affection He has for all who follow Him.
It is important for us to remember that we are only travelers here—earth is not our home, heaven is! That is the promise of Scripture. Heaven is a house—not a tabernacle. Heaven is the Father’s house—my Father’s house, your Father’s house. It is a place of mansions—lasting, eternal, and permanent. A place where we will be settled—a place where we will be loved for our own sakes—not for our gifts or possessions. A place where we are always welcomed.
Heaven is a place where Christ is continually present. He will be in our midst forever. Christ is our reason for peace and our power for a calm and steadfast heart.
Become More
There are rooms in heaven, durable and lasting. Our heavenly estate is not for years, but rather for eternity. Jesus is not preparing our lodging in order for it to stand empty; neither are His preparations in vain. As He is preparing the place, He is also preparing us, his servants, so that in due time we will be put in possession of it.
Further Reflections
“Heart-trouble is the commonest thing in the world. No rank, or class, or condition is exempt from it. No bars, or bolts, or locks can keep it out. Partly from inward causes and partly from outward, partly from the body and partly from the mind, partly from what we love and partly from what we fear, the journey of life is full of trouble. Even the best of Christians have many bitter cups to drink between grace and glory. Even the holiest saints find the world a vale of tears.” —John Charles Ryle
“Our duty as Christians is always to keep heaven in our eye and earth under our feet.” —Matthew Henry
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” —1 Thessalonians 4:16–18