The Passover feast was being observed by Jesus and the apostles in the upper room in the city of Jerusalem (Matthew 26:17- 30; Mark 14:12-26). The apostles had just learned several troubling facts: (1) A betrayer was among them (13:21-30); (2) Jesus was going to be leaving them (John 13:33) and (3) Peter was going to deny Jesus (John 13:36-38). In John 14-16, Jesus continued to prepare the apostles for His death by instructing them concerning the nature of His work and His kingdom. However, before He went any further, Jesus was determined to comfort them. The comfort that Jesus extended to His apostles should comfort Christians today. As you know, Christians are not immune to life’s difficulties. To name a few, Christians can swiftly be overcome with worry, grief and sorrow due to the loss of employment, health and spiritual stability. If you are facing these challenges or altogether different challenges of life, consider the words of encouragement Jesus offered in John 14:1-3.
Jesus was their comforter with these words, “Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me” (14:1). The apostles had already started allowing the troubling facts they had attained to overcome them with worry. Jesus commanded, “Stop worrying!” One can allow the day to day troubles, both big and small, to consume the mind entirely. So much so can daily troubles consume us that they become crippling forces which prevent one from fulfilling his responsibility to God and his fellow man. How can one’s worrying be constrained and overcome? Jesus said, “Believe in God, believe also in me.” Faith’s simplest definition is, “taking God at His word based on the evidence.” God has promised to provide for us spiritually (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 1:7-9), physically (Matthew 26:25-26) and providentially (Job 13:15; Daniel 3:17-18; Genesis 50:20). Do you believe Him? One may never know the “whys” or the “hows” of his particular situation, but he should be comforted by the promises of God. He will deliver on His promises (Titus 1:2).
Jesus promised to be their preparer. “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.” The owner of the house is the Father (“In my Father’s house”). As the owner of the house, He decides who enters (Matthew 7:21). Jesus, who God has appointed, will render the final judgment on who qualifies for entrance (Matthew 25:21). The occupancy of the house or number of abiding places (“are many mansions”) will be equal to the number of the faithful. There is only “one faith” (Ephesians 4:4-5) and “one way” that leads to everlasting life (John 14:6; Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus promised, “I go to prepare a place for you.” One of the ways Jesus prepared a place for the apostles is by His death, burial, resurrection and Ascension. Without a first fruit there could not be a second fruit (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). However, Jesus prepared a place for all of His true followers. Heaven will be every Christian’s residency who remains faithful (2 Timothy 4:8)! When life becomes difficult, Christians should find it soothing to know that Jesus has prepared a place for them in heaven.
Jesus promised He would be their receiver when He returned from heaven. Jesus said, “…I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). Jesus reassured them that He would “come again.” Jesus’ final return will come “in the last day” (John 5:28-29; 6:44), and He will receive the faithful apostles unto Himself. Yet, this promise was not exclusive to the apostles; Jesus made the same promise to all faithful Christians (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). What a great comfort! Jesus will not send a representative, but rather He will come Himself to guide the faithful to their abiding place to remain with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Let not your heart be troubled! Believe in God and in His Son, who promised to provide now and in the future.
