Thoughts for the Day

‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 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? 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. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know were you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have used the reading from Revelation 21 many times at funerals over the years (see yesterday),but, like many clergy, I have used the words from John 14 far more. It's one of those passages in the Gospels that are greatly loved, and it was certainly my mother's most favourite passage. We could probably spend months looking at these few verses, but today let's look at a small segment.

Jesus tells his disciples not be worried. He is preparing them for his death, and their uncertain future. The phrase "Don't worry!" is familiar today. Said to us when we have heard some bad news it can be annoying! How can we not worry, we ask ourselves! Yet worry achieves very little, and if over-used is liable to give us a heart attack or a stroke ultimately. The reason Jesus says we are not to worry is because we know him and we know his Father. His promise to the disciples holds true today just as it did 2000 years ago - he has gone to prepare a place for us!

Being a practical person I like to think about the phrase "many dwelling places" in "my Father's house". Where will we be placed? Beginners and students in one section; and saints in another? Who knows! Jesus' whimsical use of allegory leaves it to our imagination to interpret. What we should be certain of is that there is no need to worry about the future if our relationship with God is secure! We need to be able to say as the father of an epileptic boy once said to Jesus, "I believe, help my unbelief" (Mark 9.21-24).

Lord Jesus Christ,
we don't know what our future will bring,
and sometimes we worry incessantly about tomorrow.
Help us to know that You are always with us;
that You hold us safe in Your hands;
and that You have the best plan in mind for us.
When our faith falters help us to move forward again,
putting all our trust in You,
knowing You have prepared for us an eternal home.
Amen.