"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (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 imminent 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 downtrodden and depressed and feeling quite deserted and exposed.
In our verses for today, our Lord 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 freed from the stirred 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, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your 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:
“In my Father’s house are many rooms … I am going there to prepare 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.
Take It to Heart
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)
All true believers are welcome to this happiness. There are rooms in heaven, durable and lasting. Our 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 the servant, so that in due time we will be put in possession of it.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)
Just as Jesus was the embodiment of God’s love, we are to be the embodiment of His love. He now gives this charge to all of His followers … we must love one another!
Loving others is both a great duty and a high calling as it helps to strengthen those around us by lovingly encouraging and refreshing them along the way. It is a Christian grace that is not to be merely in our heads, but a practice in our lives. We must live out this love in our tempers and our words, in our being and in our doing. It must show forth in our behavior and conduct toward all, and in particular fellow believers, regarding them as brothers and sisters. There is nothing that the world needs more than the demonstration of pure Biblical love. People may not understand theology or doctrine but they can experience Christian love. True love will capture their attention and often their hearts. True love always points to Jesus. It is quite different from the emotional love that the world blasts forth. We will also discover that as we love and encourage others, we will be strengthened as well.
Love is a fundamental and everlasting command of Christ. It is to be the badge of all our Lord’s disciples. It is His desire for us to be noticed for our love as a distinguishing trait of His family. Just as our earthly families have familial traits, love is to be our spiritual familial trait. This goes against the grain of the world, which touts an “every man for himself” mentality. This is not to be the way of the Christian! Scripture is filled with the call for love amongst Christian brothers. John writes in one of his letters that our love for one another is a sign that we are truly children of the King:
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. (1 John 3:14)
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (1 John 4:10-12)
What exactly does the love of Christ look like? Paul gives us a clear description of this high calling in 1 Corinthians. It is only through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit’s power, equipping and enabling us, that we are able to consistently live this out. Biblical love does not come to us naturally. This is why when it is demonstrated in a life, it points to God and never fails to bear fruit. Paul writes:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
Take It to Heart
Paul says that if anything is done apart from the motivation of love–no matter how wonderful–it is worth nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Indeed, he states it is greater than faith and hope (1 Corinthians 13:13). As Christians, we are to be a people known and marked by love.
“It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and good people who have learned the great secret of life. They have found a joy and a wisdom which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians … and I am one of them.” (Letter to Donatus from St. Cyprian of Carthage, mid 3rd century)
“There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say." (John 12:48-50)
God spoke decisively and finally through His Son. To reject the Word of Jesus is to reject the Word of God the Father. Jesus said the following regarding this truth:
Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. (John 14:10)
The writer of Hebrews says:
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Jesus gave proof of His union with the Father in three ways–through His character, through His words, and through the miracles He performed. Our obedience to Jesus will grow out of our love for Him and out of our love for His Word. He tells us that if we love Him we will obey Him. When we obey Him, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit abide with us–equipping us to both hear and heed the Lord’s will.
Jesus came first to offer salvation to the whole world–we are at fault if we reject the truth. Nothing is more dreadful than abused patience and grace that is constantly trampled on. There will be a certain and unavoidable future judgment on those refusing to believe the teaching of Jesus--the day of the righteous judgment of God. The very words Christ spoke will themselves judge those who willingly choose not to believe them. The idea behind the word “reject” in our verses for today is of one who despises--deliberately refusing to acknowledge Him as the Messiah in spite of all the miracles He performed--nor will he embrace in his heart the doctrines preached by our Lord. The rejection and unbelief of those who despise our Lord will not go unpunished no matter what people choose to believe.
It will be impossible to deny the truth and wisdom and mercy of Jesus’ words on the last day and they will be used against those who despised Him. This will leave them speechless, unanswerable to the words of Christ. Be assured, the words of Christ never fall to the ground–they are always operative. Scripture tells us:
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)
The writer of Hebrews states this truth as well:
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13)
Take It to Heart
Our Lord warns us that it is a serious sin to refuse His words. We are to take heed. These were not our Lord’s words alone, but the very words of God the Father. Jesus was sent to this earth with a commission of what to say and speak to men. He spoke the true counsel of the Most Holy God.
Jesus states emphatically that He knows His command leads to eternal life. Peter was thoroughly convinced that Jesus’ words lead to life and rightly confessed:
"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68-69)
We must live as those who believe in the truth of the judgment, and of heaven, and of hell. Jesus deserves our all! We can never serve God too much! Christ died for us–nothing is too great for us to do for Him.
Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God. Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me.” (John 12:42-45)
In our verses for today, we see even among the leaders those who were persuaded that Jesus was the Messiah. Sadly, they were not bold enough to acknowledge their faith for fear of the consequences that might ensue. It would appear that mankind continuously seeks the approval and acceptance of mankind. We worry about the praise of the creature rather than striving for the praise of the Creator. Earlier in John, Jesus said:
"I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?” (John 5:41-44)
Does the praise of men tickle our ears and motivate our actions, prompting us to have very little or no regard for the praise of God? This is a cause for many a downfall. King Saul is a perfect example from scripture. The first King of Israel suffered with the problem of people pleasing. Neglecting the Lord’s command to totally destroy the Amalekites and everything belonging to them, Saul spared the king and some of the best of the sheep and cattle and lambs. His actions did not please God:
Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night. (1 Samuel 15:10-11)
After Samuel questioned Saul, we discover the reason for his disobedience:
Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. (1 Samuel 15:24)
Saul proved to be a coward. He was unwilling to stand for the difficult right against the easy wrong in an effort to be embraced and lauded by flesh and blood. Paul had it right when he wrote to the Thessalonians:
We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed–God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-6)
Make no mistake about it, when we reject Jesus, we reject God. There is an entire unity between Jesus and the Father, a complete and mysterious oneness. To trust in the Son–the sent Savior of sinners–is to also trust in the Father–the One who sent Jesus to save. Though distinct persons of the trinity, they cannot be divided. The unity of Jesus and the Father are so complete that to honor God is to honor the Son as well, and conversely, to dishonor one is to dishonor the other.
Take It to Heart
God makes Himself known through the face of Christ. To believe in Jesus is to believe in God. God’s essential nature is disclosed in our Lord Jesus. Knowing God comes through knowing His Son–reading His Words and paying attention to His deeds. Jesus came to make God known to us. Earlier John said:
No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. (John 1:18)
“Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. (John 12:31-33)
Evil atoned for, Satan a defeated foe, salvation offered–this is the message of the cross! Jesus speaks here with a divine exultation and triumph. The dark order of things which had prevailed in the world since the fall of man would now be spoiled. The world would no longer be subjected to Satan and the powers of darkness. More than likely we have an inadequate perspective of the perverseness which prevailed at the time of Jesus’ advent–the extreme extent to which Satan was wreaking havoc on the world. Demonic possession, idolatry, child sacrifice, and a myriad of other perversions dominated the landscape. The godless order of things would be tolerated no longer. Christ died for a world that was without God and without hope–a world that had chosen open rebellion. Christ ended Satan’s dominion by His death on the cross. The head of the serpent was now bruised. Jesus came to set the captives free. Therefore, we must not choose to remain in slavery! Rather, through His power, we are to break free from the chains which blind and bind us–yoking ourselves to Christ:
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
I am reminded of Paul’s words in his letter to the Colossians:
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation–if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. (Colossians 1:21-23)
Paul writes in the next chapter:
When you were dead in your sins … God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Colossians 2:13-15)
The death of Christ on the cross had, and continues to have, a drawing effect on all mankind. His death as our substitute and His sacrifice for our sins draws people from every tribe and nation to believe on Him and receive Him as Savior. Whenever the powerful story of the cross is told, souls are converted and drawn to Jesus in all parts of the world. Jesus’ atoning work on the cross perfectly fills the need of all peoples.
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel–not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. (1 Corinthians 1:17)
I am reminded of the words found in Joel, which are repeated by Paul in Romans:
And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. (Joel 2:32 and Romans 10:13)
Take It to Heart
“My case is urgent, and I do not see how I am to be delivered; but this is no business of mine. He who makes the promise will find ways and means of keeping it. It is mine to obey His commands; it is not mine to direct His counsels. I am His servant, not His solicitor. I call upon Him, and He will deliver.” (C. H. Spurgeon)
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