Stop the fear – trust in the future

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that 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. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)

Jesus shares this message with his disciples after breaking the news that he’ll be leaving them soon. He reminds them that Heaven is their everlasting rest to come, and “the way” there is himself.

Jesus knows how easy it is to become fearful about the future. When he says “do not let your hearts be troubled”, he is telling them – and us – to stop the fear before it escalates. It’s a proactive response to a natural human feeling.
He reminds the disciples of their belief in the Father and the Son, and tells them they can trust him for their eternal destiny. Jesus is going before them to prepare not just a home – but mansions for each of his people. He is furnishing the Father’s house ahead of time, ready for our arrival.

Matthew Henry writes: “Heaven would be an unready place for a Christian if Christ were not there. He went to prepare a table for them, to prepare thrones for them (Luke 22:30).”

Christ will welcome them – and us – into the abundance of his love. We will be eternally joyful, simply because Christ is there. That’s what we have to look forward to.

Dear Father,
I can’t wait to burst through your front door.
I long to spend an eternity worshipping you – the only one who is truly holy, wise, powerful and good – the Governor of the world.
No matter what happens in our lives, we really can trust you for our future happiness beyond this earth.
Heaven will make amends for all we’ve been through.
Thank you that you’ll finish the story you’re authoring. Thank you that we can be part of it in the meantime. Prepare us for heaven – prepare us for you.
Till then.
Amen