“Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. 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. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” John 14: 1-4 (KJV)
When we meet Jesus in this text, he is focused on the cross. His mind is thinking of returning to the Father. But before any of this takes place, he has some final words for his disciples. The words recorded by John above are very familiar and often repeated amongst the saints of God.
They were first offered by the Son of Man for two reasons: to bring consolation to the hearts of his followers, and to share the revelation of his own heart. The words, “Let not your heart be troubled” were spoken to bring consolation to his anxious disciples; and “ye believe in God, believe also in me” were for the revelation of his identity as Messiah. The message of Jesus can be summed up in two words, “Trust me.”
The Savior gives us four reasons to trust in him. First, trust me to prepare a place for you. When Jesus says “In my Father’s house,” the implication is that what belongs to the Father also belongs to the Son. The Son has the authority to invite whom he will to dwell in the Father’s house, because it also belongs to him.
Where is this home? It’s in heaven. The words of Jesus were to produce consolation and assurance in the disciples’ hearts – he was going away to prepare a place for them with the Father. Don’t fret! The Comforter (John 16:7) will keep you company until I come back.
Secondly, trust me to come again. Jesus says that he will come again. Theologians refer to this as the Parousia, the Second Coming of Christ. That day is yet to come; but its coming. If he came the first time, why doubt that he will not come a second time? Take him at his word. Jesus’ words were spoken to console our hearts – he will be back. See Revelation 19.
Thirdly, trust me . . . I want you to be with me. When the Rapture takes place (I Thess. 4:17), signaling the end of the church-age, these words of Jesus will ring true, loud and clear. Jesus will be with his disciples, and his disciples will be with the Father and the Son. That thought sends chills down my spine right now! What a blessed time for us all.
Finally, trust me . . . I am the way. Jesus did not say that he will make some way; rather, he is the way. Through Jesus we enter the veil of the heavenly sanctuary.
Dr. Melvin J. Woodard III is the pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church, 1541 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Ave. He can be reached at (317) 636-6622.
