A Mansion for You
—John 14:1-6
John 14:1-6 is one of the lovliest passages in the Bible —a promise to give you hope
The mansion Promise (John 14:1-6)
Shortly before his death, Jesus had a conversation with his disciples, part of which follows below...
John 14:1-6
¶“1Don't let your heart be troubled. You believe in God, so believe in me too. 2In my Father’s house are many mansions. Would I have told you this if it were not true? I go to prepare a place for you. 3And since I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back again and receive you to myself. Where I live, you will live also. 4And you know where I am going and you know the way. 5Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we don't know where you are going so how can we know the way?' 6Jesus said to him 'I am the way, and the truth and the life! Nobody can come to the Father except through me' ” (John 14:1-6).
1 A Very Great Promise
The "many mansions" promise makes everything else seem trivial, and sets a goal in life that no other pursuit can match. If we trust his promise even "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be" (Romans 8:18).
Furthermore, Christ's promise leaves nobody out. All human beings, without exception, may take advantage of his promise. There are "many mansions" (John 14:2) —plenty of room for everyone.
Jesus was probably told the story of how his mother and father, at the time of his birth, could find in Bethlehem no vacant room to stay. Apparently, a stable was all they could find (Luke 2:7). Heaven is not like that.
So it is indeed a very great promise isn't it? There's even a mansion for you!
2 A Most Trustworthy Promise
Jesus says, "You believe in God, believe also in me" (John 14:1). We can trust Jesus as much as we trust God because...
- Jesus came from God the Father (John 14:7-10).
- Jesus performed attesting miracles (John 14:11, 20:30-31).
- Jesus fulfilled the first part of his promise (John 14:2-3).
We've no reason to doubt he'll return and take us to our eternal mansions in glory.
3 A Reasonable Promise
Straight after his "many mansions" promise, Jesus adds, "If it were not so, I would have told you!" But how could it be "not so"? Reason it out...
- Did the Son of God come into the world to show us a better way to make chocolate? Or did he come to solve the world's greatest problem — death?
- If he cures us of death, he therefore gives us everlasting life doesn't he?
- Since everlasting life is clearly impossible on earth, then it must be in heaven, mustn't it?
- So a place would have to be prepared for us in heaven wouldn't it?
- If Jesus goes to heaven to prepare our mansions there, he has to come back here to get us and take there doesn't he?
The promise is —for you— reasonable, believeable and achievable. So take it to heart and live by it.