Comfort in Sorrow 3

John 14:1-3

I remember going to visit some friends of our family in Cleveland when I was fairly young. They were all prepared for our visit. I remember being given a tour of their house – we had never been there before – as we arrived. We could tell that they had cleaned their house from top to bottom. The place was spotless.

Besides making their house clean and tidy the two sons had given up their bedrooms so that our family could stay. My parents would be sleeping in one bedroom and my sister would stay in another. My brother and I got to share the family room with the two brothers.

It was a wonderful thing to be welcomed into that house. Our parents had known each other years ago, but my brother, sister and I barely knew the two boys from the other family. But we had a great visit. It was so nice that they worked so hard to make us feel welcome.

As Jesus is preparing his disciples for the inevitability of his crucifixion he reminds them of what he is doing for them. What comfort does he offer? What does he say about his Father’s house (heaven)? What will Jesus do?

We can find comfort in the words of Christ. He tells the disciples and he tells us not to be troubled. We simply need to trust in God and in Jesus. We need to trust that there is a great deal of room for everyone in the house of God. Heaven has room enough for all.

But we must also see that there is more than just comfort in knowing that there is a place for us. We need to see that Christ has prepared a place for us. We are anticipated. Our presence is desired and sought after.

And more than that. If Christ has prepared a pace the n he will be returning to get us. Jesus will come to gather us up in his arms and welcome us in this place he has readied for us.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can remind you of what Jesus has done for you?