“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1 – 6, NKJV)

There are different degrees of reward and glory manifested in Heaven for followers of Jesus.  We will all rejoice in each other’s splendor that day.

But why was Jesus going away?  The disciples would no longer see him and that would be difficult.  Jesus went away, so that, through the Holy Spirit (John 16), their hearts would long for Him with a greater love and passion. Augustine said, “Love’s longing is the preparation of the dwelling” (Homilies 68:3, John).

 When believers walk by faith, desiring the One whom we cannot see, our love deepens for Him.  Just like one who is on a work assignment, away from home, your heart yearns for them to return to you.  So, it is with Jesus. He is preparing a place for us to dwell in eternity, and our hearts yearn for Him to return to us, so we can see Him face to face.

Our rewards may differ, but all will share in the joy, knowing that Jesus worked through our feeble hands and feet.  Flawed, yet chosen.  Though we falter, His light and His Word never fails.

Jesus has gone ahead of us to prepare a dwelling that we will occupy.  It is through His love that He draws us into the Father’s everlasting home.  “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44).

We are blessed indeed!

Shalom, Shalom,

Dr. Jeff

Time is short; Life is precious, and Jesus is coming soon!