We are nearing the time of our rejoicing over the resurrection of Christ. There is no better news than the fact that He lives! As the hymn we love to sing says, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.” John 14 records the beginning of Christ’s last instructions to His disciples before the cross. The disciples are about to be put to a great test in a matter of hours. Already, the Lord has told them of His impending death, and that He will go away. They are troubled of heart, but their troubles are only beginning. In verses 1-3 our Lord gives some of the most encouraging words of all Scripture. These three verses serve as a backdrop for all Christians at all times, but especially when we are going through difficulties. First remember the love and compassion of our Lord toward His own. He knew what was before Him. He would soon sweat drops of blood over the looming ordeal of the cross. Yet, out of His love He gives encouragement to His troubled disciples, and by extension to us today.

Tragedies, disasters, and problems make up the larger portion of what life is about in this world. Thankfully, sovereign over it all is the Lord who doesn’t allow our difficulties to come upon us all at once (1 Cor. 10:13). All people have trials and difficulties.  People handle their troubles in a variety of ways.  Some simply try not to think about them. Others use alcohol, drugs, or engage in something that will keep their minds distracted. Even though some people handle trials better than others, all human attempts reach their limit because there is no satisfying remedy for our deepest troubles other than Christ Jesus. He truly is the remedy. John 14:1-3 is the wonderful answer. Christ, who is God, is telling His disciples and us, not to allow our hearts to be stirred in anxiety. When the Lord speaks His Words are truth and behind them is all knowledge and all power. If He says we have no need to be anxious, bothered, worried, or stirred in spirit, then we do not!  If these disciples, living as eyewitnesses of the devastating cross, are told not to be anxious then we in Christ have the same promise and application today! The Lord then discloses His powerful reasoning by what He says here.

What is most important surrounding any concern we may have is the outcome. The Lord takes us forward in our thinking to the future.  He says, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so I would have told you.” He then tells them and us this is where all with true faith will have their eternal home. The word “house” is a reference to residence. He is promising that we will live where God the Father lives. In Ezekiel chapter one we read of the indescribable beauty of heaven where God dwells and by this and other Scripture we might begin to understand the significance of this promise. We know that wealthy prominent people live in beautiful homes. But no matter how elaborate, large, or extravagant the wealthiest people on earth build their residence, it cannot compare with what is being referred to here. Amazingly, Christ says that He is going to prepare a place for His disciples, and by extension also for us. No amount of imagination can come up with anything near what is expressed by that statement. Our Lord dwells in “unapproachable light” (1 Tim. 6:16), and in the future those who love Him will dwell there also. By giving this promise our Lord is making the same assessment referred to by Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:17. He says, “For momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” He then reiterates the nature of faith required when he says, “While we look not at the things which are seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things not seen are eternal.” The promise of Christ is far more glorious than what our eyes and our temporary experience can understand. Our eyes may deceive us, and what we do see will soon pass away, but what Christ promises is absolutely sure, real, glorious, and eternal.

The current events and issues of life surrounding each of us personally vary in degree of difficulty. Some who are reading this may be up to their neck in trials, while others are only up to their ankles. Our situations in this life will not remain stagnant but change daily. These disciples were about to have their world appear to come crashing down. They had left everything to follow Christ, and in the next few days their hearts would be broken. Then, in the purposes of God, their grief would be turned to joy (John 16:20). Beyond the great joy they would experience following the Lord’s resurrection, they would experience sorrow again at His ascension. They would also be tested many times, and most would become martyrs. Peter speaks of this in 1 Peter 1:13. He first addresses the need to stay actively engaged in the work God has called His own to do, but then he says, “Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” This is consistent with our Lord’s promise in John 14. The idea of “completely” means all focus of hope according to what Christ has promised. I must be clear. These words do not apply to non – Christians! Judas was present, but these words were not for him.

True encouragement belongs only to those who love Christ and believe Him and His Word. Those not in Christ are not only fragile, vulnerable, helpless and unable, but have nothing to cling to. They have nothing to help in their day of trouble! But those in Christ, are truly told, “Let not your heart be troubled.” This is so because He said, “Believe in God, believe also in Me.” He professes His deity, or His equality with God the Father. He then reinforces His promise with, “If it were not so I would have told you.” Our Savior could never disappoint. His words therefore tell us to keep our eyes fixed with certainty upon Him, trust what He promises, and in so doing there is no need for our hearts to be troubled. In Christ worry becomes unnecessary. Our Lord overrules any difficult situation with these words of greatest comfort.  Beloved brethren, His disciples have been with our Lord in glory almost two thousand years. What matters is our destination. I pray that we might be governed by the true hope that we are destined to spend eternity in the presence of Christ in glory. Yes, because He lives and His promises are true, we can face tomorrow. Come quickly Lord Jesus!