Are you worried about something? Nervous, troubled, fretful, stressed? You’ve come to the right place, because the Lord is here.

As our scene opens, Jesus is speaking privately with his disciples, his closest followers and friends, comforting and encouraging them as his crucifixion draws near. He has already washed their feet, warned them a betrayal was imminent, and predicted Peter’s denial.

The Lord’s words are intended for us as well. Later in the book of John, Jesus tells his heavenly Father, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:20-21).

So, you in John 14 really does mean you, beloved.

Here is the message Jesus offers, meant to calm his disciples’ anxious hearts—and ours.

“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.” John 14:1-3

Jesus says, “Do not be worried and upset” (GNT) and “Don’t get lost in despair” (VOICE). To think, he’s facing death on the cross, yet is concerned about us! Our mental and emotional health matters to him. He cares about our thoughts and feelings. He wants us to live in peace—his peace.

Each verse in this passage from John 14 is rich. Your favorite—and our focus this week—is the middle verse.

“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?” John 14:2

If you’ve always pictured God’s house as an enormous estate with manicured lawns and endless hallways leading to spacious rooms, get ready for a new view of your heavenly home.

“My Father’s house…”

We could break down each of these words separately, but since this same phrase appears elsewhere in Scripture, we’ll look at all three words at once. (Oh my, can she do it?!)

When Jesus comes to the temple in Jerusalem and finds people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, as well as exchanging money, he drives them away, shouting, “Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”” (John 2:16)

In the midst of his righteous anger, Jesus calls the temple—an earthly place of worship built by Herod—“my Father’s house.”

Now in John 14 this phrase, found in many Jewish sources as well, takes on a greater meaning. It’s the heavenly place where the Father lives. It’s also where Jesus will live after his resurrection, and where we who are the children of God will live forever.

It’s his Father’s house, and it’s our Father’s house. It’s home. Not our temporary earthly home, but our permanent heavenly home.

“…has many rooms;”

Most scholars agree on the idea of abundance, of many. There’s “plenty of room for you” (MSG); in fact, “room to spare” (CEB).

This translation suggests individual “rooms;” others prefer the word “homes” (AMP), and some, “dwelling places” (GNV).

But it’s the older translation of ”mansions” (KJV) that started believers down the palatial path, singing, “When from the dust of death I rise To claim my mansion in the skies.”

Hmm. If you won’t mind, we’ll take a quick look at the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin words, just to help us sort things out.

In Hebrew, me’onot means “dwelling places, permanent residences, homes” (OJB). In Greek, meno means to “remain” or “abide,” used forty times in John’s Gospel. And in Latin, mansio, means “a traveler’s resting place.”

But as centuries passed, the English word mansion took on a new meaning—a grander one—leading to a materialistic view of heaven that Jesus never intended.

Robert Gundry cautioned, “Not mansions in the sky, but spiritual positions in Christ.” That’s where our future lies.

And in that deeply spiritual sense, “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home” (NLT).

“if that were not so,…”

“If that weren’t the case…” (CEB), Jesus says, putting aside any question of it not being true, all the while speaking to our doubt.

I confess, there have been fleeting moments over the years when I’ve questioned everything about my beliefs, including heaven. Can it all be true? Can God’s Word be trusted?

You know the answer. I do too. But it’s okay to raise questions, to ask for wisdom, to seek assurance, to wonder aloud, to examine our faith. Jesus can handle our doubts and fears. “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken” (Psalm 55:22).

“…would I have told you…”

It’s in question form in this translation. In others, it’s a statement: “I would not tell you this if it were not so” (GNT).

Either way, Jesus is gently reminding us that he always speaks the truth. Always. This promise is built on the infallible nature of his Word and the undeniable depth of his love.

“…that I am going there…”

Jesus assures his disciples, “I am going away” (AMP), by which he means he is assuredly bound for heaven, and therefore going to die. He has told his disciples this many times in many ways. But because they don’t want to hear it, they ignore it.

Aren’t we the same way? Pretending death doesn’t exist, or that it’s so far in the future, we don’t have to think about it?

I have no fear of death, for one reason: Jesus has gone ahead of us. He has opened the door to heaven. And he is ready to welcome us home.

“…to prepare a place…”

Matthew Henry wrote, “Heaven would be an unready place for a Christian if Christ were not there.” So right. But he is there. Getting ready for each of us.

Can you imagine it? Can your mind stretch far enough to grasp this? Jesus will “make arrangements for your arrival” (VOICE), will “prepare a home for you” (KNOX).

All the while he is in heaven Jesus is thinking of us, and laboring on our behalf.

And he know exactly how many rooms will be needed. None of this “no room at the inn.” He is fully prepared for you, and knows the hour of your arrival.

We have no such guarantees In the earthly realm. I once called ahead to a hotel in Nashville, just to be very sure my room was waiting for me, since I wouldn’t arrive until eleven at night. “Oh yes, Mrs. Higgs,” the desk clerk said. “We have a room for you.”

But when I showed up at the front desk an hour later, exhausted and ready for that big, comfy bed, I was told by the very same clerk. “Oh no, Mrs. Higgs. We don’t have a room for you.”

I tried to sound very professional, even with a lump in my throat. “Are you sure? Can you not find one little room?” He could not.

Jesus is far more trustworthy than any hotel chain, any concierge, any front desk clerk. When he says he will “get a room ready for you” (MSG), you don’t need to call ahead. Your room is waiting.

“…for you?” John 14:2

Yes, for you. A reminder of how personal, how individual Jesus is in his care of every believer who was, and is, and is to come.

On earth we are strangers in a strange land. Heaven is our true home, and our dwelling place is with him. Such a blessed assurance! No wonder this verse is one of your favorites.

“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?” John 14:2

Now it’s your turn

If you’ve always pictured yourself living in a grand, heavenly mansion, how does the biblical truth of simply living where Jesus lives sit with you? What will it take for you to rest in that knowledge?

Kindly add your response under Post a Comment at the bottom…and bless you for doing so.

Next week, we move back to the Old Testament for # 18, the first of four verses you love from the book of Isaiah. Thanks so much for studying the Bible with me!

Your sister, Liz