We can be sure that Jesus prepares a place for us. The night before the crucifixion, Jesus was preparing the disciples for what was to come. He had told them that He was going somewhere they could not go, but they didn’t understand.
What Jesus knew and His disciples did not was that He was going to the cross to pay the price for sin. Only Jesus, who had never sinned, could be our substitute and pay the price we can not. Jesus’ resurrection is a promise that, as believers, we too will be resurrected for eternity with Him.
Mansions in Heaven
John 14: 2 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? 3 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. [1]
I have often read this Scripture at funerals. It offers hope of something better beyond our earthly existence. The King James Version translated “rooms” as “mansions.” This makes us think of spacious, luxurious homes waiting for us in heaven. While I think this is true, upon closer examination, I believe there is more.
“The Greek word for “rooms” (monai) could be better translated “abodes” because it shares the same root as the Greek word for “abide” (meno). It simply means “a dwelling place.”[2] The only other time Jesus used this word was to refer to the Temple (John 2:16). The Jews considered the Temple to be the place where heaven and earth met. Jesus was going to prepare a way for believers to have a renewed relationship with God. This would allow for renewal that brings heaven and earth together. The prepared place is a person, Jesus.
Dwelling with Jesus Now
We don’t have to wait for our death or the return of Jesus to have a room in the Father’s house. Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, abides in us as soon as we believe. There are many rooms in the Father’s house because there are many believers in God’s household.
In His farewell teaching, Jesus spoke about abiding with Him. John 15: 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.[3] Jesus has a purpose for each of us on earth. As we stay connected with Him, He will enable us to “bear fruit” or accomplish His will.
The faith walk here on earth can be difficult, but we have a promise of more. This hope helps us endure because we know this world is temporary. God gave John a vision of the new heaven and new earth. Revelation 21: 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
Jesus prepares a place for us here on this earth and for eternity with Him. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-said-i-am-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life
[1,3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). Crossway Bibles.