John 14:2-3 (NIV): In my Father’s 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.
For to many of us this world is it. Oh we talk about Heaven. Maybe we even sing about heaven. But if and when we are honest with ourselves Heaven is not all that real to us. As pain and tragedy knock on our doors we then long for that place of no more tears, heartache, and death. We then long for, hunger for a sin-free world.
When Jesus would discuss the Kingdom of Heaven, His disciples would picture material wealth and political power and supremacy over their Roman oppressors. What may surprise you is that Jesus was talking about something concrete. Of course, it was not what the disciples had in mind. The Savior was and is pointing His followers to His tangible reality. Let me explain.
His Father’s house is real with actual rooms. If it wasn’t/isn’t real Jesus would have told us so. He is designing your room and mine. (I like to think of them as penthouses – a cross between rooms and mansions.) This house of God is located in the city limits of New Jerusalem (on the planet called Heaven- perhaps Heaven is a planet). Jesus knew because He built it.
Jesus is seeking to prepare our hearts and minds to live in face to face fellowship with Himself. As we daily surrender our plans, problems, and personal opinions to Him we ready ourselves for His tangible, tear-free reality.
This message fits into my experience this week. As I was driving to school, I was so full, as I reflected on how good God is, and the favor I have with Him. I don’t know about other readers, but I long for the day when I can communicate face to face with my Savior. He is so gracious and merciful to me. Since my move, I have had numerous opportunities to spend more individual time with God and it has brought me to another level. Praise God for just being my all and all.
Amen Tresa. I pray that we all will have that daily awareness and earnest longing till we meet God in peace.