John 14:1-14 ESV (also referenced NKJV and The Message)
Forgiveness Series
This passage is one of my favorite scriptures to read. It gives me great comfort.
It tells me I don’t need to worry about life after earth because God has a special place He has prepared just for me (and for you).
It gives me great hope because I know those who have passed over were and are in a good place. I am grateful for God’s great comfort.
John 14:1 tells us, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”
We do not need to worry or be concerned; when we trust God, He has everything covered. God’s forgiveness is complete.
Jesus tells me in God’s special place there is enough space there and Jesus will come to take me there.
In John 14:2-4, “In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”
I don’t recall this scripture being quoted at a lot of funeral services, and I’m not sure why. In the New King James Version the Koine Greek word ‘monai’ can mean mansion, house, or room. I am partial to the New King James Version (only because I grew up in the 1950’s and 1960’s when we used the King James Version and eighty percent of the scriptures I memorized were from the King James Bible. That doesn’t mean it’s a superior translation, it’s just what I grew up with.) The ESV (English Standard Version) is a great translation that’s pretty literal. The ESV uses the word rooms for the Greek word monai.
All of the words used are acceptable. I love what The Message says, “Don’t let this rattle you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I’m taking.”
God is getting our room ready. Isn’t that awesome? To me that means God has painted the walls with my favorite colors. In my room I have lots of squishy pillows and maybe even a few stuffed animals. I have everything I need and want in my room.
So, what will your room look like?
In the next section of scripture Thomas asked Jesus how we can find the way to get to Him. Jesus clearly told His disciples HE is the way, the truth, and the life.
John 14:5 “Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
I think Thomas asked a great question. It reminds me of a question a curious really bright child would ask. Thomas’ question is gutsy, down to earth and clear. He wants to know how he will find the way to his room?
Jesus’ answer told them I am the way. I am the truth. I am the life. Everything we need will be supplied by Jesus. Jesus will be there to show us the way. Jesus will tell us the truth. Jesus is our eternal life. That means eternal begins now on earth, and continues when we leave earth.
About a year ago my Mom told me she thought she’d like to go to heaven. She was 93 at the time and I reminded her that only God knows when the time is right. I asked her if she was afraid.
She said, “no, I’m not. When I was young and had Scarlet Fever, I was really sick. A few days after I was so sick that I was sure I would die.” She said that night Jesus came and sat beside her bed and His hand was very close to her hand. She lifted her hand to put it into His hand and Jesus pulled back his hand. He said to her, “No, not yet. It’s not your time.” Then Jesus healed her. Her fever broke.
My Mom told me that she knows when the time is right Jesus will come sit beside her and she will put her hand in His hand and He will show her the way.
She’s 94 now and ever so often she tells me she wonders when Jesus will come. She’s not afraid. She knows Jesus will take care of all the details.
Knowing her story helps me. She’s been my Mom for a very long time and I know I will miss her terribly, but I will also know that Jesus came and took care of all the details for her.
I know that’s the truth because Jesus is the truth.
If you have lost a Dad, a Mom, a Spouse, or a child KNOW that Jesus IS and WILL take care of them. Jesus is all about the details (like my squishy pillows).
Jesus also told His disciples about His relationship with God the Father. I loved parts of the movie, “The Shack”. I could hardly watch the beginning and while I thought they handled it as well as possible, it was hard to watch. The rest of the movie was remarkable. One of my favorite take-a-ways was that Nan (the Mother of the abducted child) referred to God as Papa.
I love that. Jesus’ words to His disciples made it clear that Jesus and Papa were one. They were inseparable, forever, and their forgiveness is complete.
In John 14:7, He said, “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.”
In this final section Jesus told His disciples (which includes us) that whatever we do in the name of Jesus He will do it.
In John 14:12-14 we learn, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”
It’s mind boggling that Jesus will do whatever we ask.
I’ve been told and I’ve read books that say there are exemptions to that. Those conditions are based on what is good for us. I’ve been told that God will not give us something that would ultimately harm us.
I can honestly say that I don’t know the right answer. I do know when I pray for healing for someone I pray than God will do what is best for them and I trust God to do that.
If I pray for a financial blessing I ask God to do what is best for the person.
I trust God to do that.
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Trust Papa
Whatever you are carrying, give it to God. Tell Papa thank you for taking it.
In God, Deborah
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