I had a friend who was in hospital, dying of congestive heart failure. He was a committed Christian, and a mentor. I went to visit him in hospital not too long after he was admitted. Already he looked different – I could tell he wouldn’t be leaving that hospital without a call to enter eternity. I sat with him and we chatted, and then I offered to read him some Scripture. He asked me to read John 14. I’d like to share some of it with you:
1Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 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? 3 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. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:1-6, NIV.)
How comforting! Jesus tells his disciples to trust in the Father and Himself; He is God. Then He says, “in my Father’s house are many rooms.” Sometimes we picture a big house with individual rooms. This isn’t how heaven is laid out, but here’s the reality: In heaven there is room for anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Jesus says, “I’m preparing a place for you.” Jesus’ preparing happened when He made the way back to God through death on the cross.[1] Jesus also said He would return to take them to be with Him. The disciples are confused: “how can we know the way there?” Jesus shows that they already know the way, because they know Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life.
Storms, problems, even death come. Jesus’ band of disciples would be shaken by Jesus’ death and tested by the world around them. Despite the turmoil outside, Jesus says not to have turmoil on the inside. Why? Because those who trust in Jesus have sure hope in being where Jesus is one day – where no more pain or suffering comes.
As I read that passage to my friend he smiled, peaceful and resting in hope in Jesus’ words. I only saw him once after that before he passed away. I miss him, but I don’t mourn for him. He was full of joy because of Jesus’ promise to His disciples and us… one that brings hope for a future with Him. No matter where this October finds you, rest in the knowledge that as a child of God, Jesus has prepared a place for you too, and no one can snatch you out of His hand (John 10:28-30).