You and I need consolation at times, don't we? But who is it we are drawn-to? Or is there really anyone who even cares...or is able to deliver you...or will take as long as it takes? Well that's where those disciples were...right where we are today! You see, Jesus, as we were told in chapt. 13.1, loved them "...to the end"...that is, the end of their ropes, the end of their troubles, and the end of their earthly walk. And when you're truly loved like that, by some One like that, you can receive true consolation from what they have to offer. And you can deposit that to the bank account of your faith, because you've experienced it...from your spouse, from a parent, or from a trusted friend...some one who will take as much time with you, and for you, as you need, to make it over the hump or out of the ditch you're in. Well that One, in this case, is Jesus.
You know, as we read in the last edition, those disciples had the cleanest feet in town, yet they held the exact notions and had the exact same questions for Jesus as any of the rest of us might. But you see, at this point, they were uncommonly common! Their questions and their notions and their troubled hearts were probably far more troubled, and far more troubling, than those of their fellow countrymen. Remember, these were hard times in Jewry, and Jesus had offered them some hope, and now, of a sudden, the situation looked pretty hopeless.
Those closest of His followers had heard much teaching about His impending suffering, and His betrayal and death, and believe me...they were troubled! The idea that He had not come to restore Israel to its former position of glory, and to free them from their Roman oppressors, and to be their prophesied, all-powerful and holy King, was a very real disappointment. Here He was, speaking of a future without Him, and their hearts were troubled! He was speaking of one of their own number, selling Him down the river. And He was troubled Himself, at the thought of their coming tribulation in His absence. Troublesome times were about to be here...and their hearts were filled with fear! And so, Jesus began to console them.
He was about to teach them the reason for His coming and His going, and we need assurance today, that His words were spoken just as certainly for our encouragement as for their's. In vss. 9-14, He assures us that all that He's doing, He's doing for us. That's Jesus' point in chapt. 14.1, and unlike Phillip, we can trust Him, having never seen Him...we can love Him, and believe Him, and rejoice with joy unspeakable, because of it!
Look at vs. 2..."...My Father's house", first proclaimed to have been the Tabernacle, then the Temple, and now the eternal dwelling-place of God, along with all the saints. You know, we all have our own vision of what heaven will be like..."Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace. I wanna see my Saviour's face, 'cause heaven is a wonderful place (I wanna be there!)".
The New Testament scriptures refer to it by many names...it's a country, a city, a Kingdom, it's Paradise...and it's the Father's personal address! Ahhh...there's no place like home, say we. When I used to go back to my earthly father's home, or when I drive by my earthly father's home, I get a warm feeling, a feeling of peace and of longing and of relationship...but that's just me. We all have our own personal feelings and thoughts about our earthly father's homes, but to most people, home is where the heart is.
Isn't that the way it is with heaven, for you? A place where we'll finally be able to retire, and to be with the ones you love, and who love you; and where you are loved for your own sakes, and where you will find perfect peace and rest? Even if your earthly home never aroused those feelings, or doesn't hold that charm, and that sense of belonging, "the Father's House"...capital "F", capital "H", certainly should!
We're living in tents, in a strange land, on a strange journey, but one day, you'll wake up at home. And the family of God will all be there, after a hard day's night...Old Testament saints, New Testament saints...all past, present and future saints; along with all the angels, worshipping and praising God together for eternity. "If it were not so (He) would have told us", would He not? If there was not enough room, or if in fact there was no house, or no mansion, He would have said-so. Jesus is the Truth, and when He promises eternal hope, and an eternal home in the Father's eternal house, then you can deposit that in your faith-bank. That was, as He told us, the very reason He came to earth for. And it was for that reason He left..."to prepare a place for us".
Please, be consoled by the very thought of it!
Please, be consoled by the very thought of it!
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