So that where I am, there you may be also

John 14:1-4

 14 ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. 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, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.’

These verses and the ones we will look at tomorrow are frequently read at funerals, as they offer the comfort that Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a place so that his followers can be with him where he is. They offer the promise of an eternity with Jesus.

Note that Jesus had just told his followers that they cannot go with him NOW (see vs. 36 – in yesterday’s text). But Jesus calms them by saying there will be room for all of his followers in the place that he is going to prepare for them, and they will be able to be with him in the place that he is going to. Just not right away.

We know that in-betweenness very well. Paul said it well when he wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain…I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” (Philippians 1:21,23,24) To be with Jesus in heaven, that is something we long for, hope for, desire. But we who live on the earth now have been called in this moment to be God’s people in places where we are. We live this life, following Jesus’ pattern, knowing with certainty that there is a place for us.

We live between Jesus gone (the opening of vs. 3) and his coming to take us to himself (the middle of vs. 3). In that middle place we live with hope and trust, knowing the future is secure in God.

PRAYER:

Lord God, your Son has gone to prepare a place for all who follow him. Keep us faithful. Teach us patience. Strengthen our hope. That we might live as his followers, now and in the future. In Jesus’ name. Amen.