A place for me
I had the privilege of reading John 14:1-7 this morning…
Jesus said: “Do not let your hearts be trouble. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Fathers house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. 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. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Then Thomas said: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Then Jesus replied: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Jesus has gone to prepare a place for me and all who know (believe in) him.
It is an unearned place. I don’t deserve to go to that place. I deserve to go to the OTHER place. I could never be good enough for heaven. I am sad when I encounter people who think they can earn salvation and heaven. I will step through the gates of heaven and onto its golden streets not because of my goodness, but because of his grace.
It is an extravagant place. I can’t imagine what heaven will be like. Jesus told the story of a father who threw a party for his rebellious son who had finally returned home (Luke 15). It was an extravagant party – especially for a kid who threw away his father’s inheritance on wild living. If an earthly father throws extravagant parties for rebellious kids, imagine what kind of party our heavenly Father is going to throw for us (and yes, I’m pretty rebellious sometimes, too). One word – extravagant.
I’m glad that this morning Jesus reminded me that it’s not over yet.
He’s preparing a place for me.
Unearned.
Extravagant.
By grace.
For me.
jackpickel 