When I found a home...
Illustration
Object:
When I found a home that we could retire to, my wife had never seen it. When I went she said she would feel alone -- she would miss me. I comforted her by assuring her that I would be preparing a place for us there.
Jesus' leaving would be more traumatic, but his disciples (and us) should not be troubled. Why? Because he was going to prepare a place for them -- and us -- to spend eternity. He promises to come back for us and take us there. No one can conceive of where it is or what heaven will be like. The only thing we need to know is Jesus will take us there, and he and the Father will be with us.
When I went back to bring my wife to our new place, she was comforted by my love for her and by my assurance that there was a nice place waiting for us. My love gave her the most assurance. She trusted me.
The writer was probably referring to their present habitation, which for the Greeks could mean a tent, but from there they would go to "mansions" above and Jesus would pay the rent.
The important thing for me is God's love. I won't worry about real estate if I am assured that God will be there and I will be sheltered in his love.
Even so, I can empathize with the disciple's questions because we aren't sure where Jesus was going either. Jesus seems to be saying, "Why are you worried? Don't you know that I am the way...?" In other words, just trust me! If you put your trust in me, you will never be disappointed. I will be there with you. Jesus and the Father are one.
Even the disciples who were with Jesus day after day had their problems, so we can expect our problems in believing in a God we have never seen in person. At least they had seen and were with Jesus. He is saying that if we "know" him, we should also know the Father because they are one. We can't separate the two.
That last promise is the hardest, especially for Lutherans: that we will be doing even greater things than Jesus did. We have trouble with miracles in this scientific age where everything has to make sense to our minds. Jesus is also encouraging us to ask for what we want and he will give it to us. Wow! Are we afraid to ask because we are afraid that we won't get it or that we will get it? Miracles can be frightening, but as I always say, missionaries find fewer problems among new converts on the mission field. They haven't had the education to doubt.
A scientist runs tests when he is given a challenge. That is the scientific way. Pray and see if he answers. You will never be the same. I know, and I'm sure the pastor knows also.
Jesus' leaving would be more traumatic, but his disciples (and us) should not be troubled. Why? Because he was going to prepare a place for them -- and us -- to spend eternity. He promises to come back for us and take us there. No one can conceive of where it is or what heaven will be like. The only thing we need to know is Jesus will take us there, and he and the Father will be with us.
When I went back to bring my wife to our new place, she was comforted by my love for her and by my assurance that there was a nice place waiting for us. My love gave her the most assurance. She trusted me.
The writer was probably referring to their present habitation, which for the Greeks could mean a tent, but from there they would go to "mansions" above and Jesus would pay the rent.
The important thing for me is God's love. I won't worry about real estate if I am assured that God will be there and I will be sheltered in his love.
Even so, I can empathize with the disciple's questions because we aren't sure where Jesus was going either. Jesus seems to be saying, "Why are you worried? Don't you know that I am the way...?" In other words, just trust me! If you put your trust in me, you will never be disappointed. I will be there with you. Jesus and the Father are one.
Even the disciples who were with Jesus day after day had their problems, so we can expect our problems in believing in a God we have never seen in person. At least they had seen and were with Jesus. He is saying that if we "know" him, we should also know the Father because they are one. We can't separate the two.
That last promise is the hardest, especially for Lutherans: that we will be doing even greater things than Jesus did. We have trouble with miracles in this scientific age where everything has to make sense to our minds. Jesus is also encouraging us to ask for what we want and he will give it to us. Wow! Are we afraid to ask because we are afraid that we won't get it or that we will get it? Miracles can be frightening, but as I always say, missionaries find fewer problems among new converts on the mission field. They haven't had the education to doubt.
A scientist runs tests when he is given a challenge. That is the scientific way. Pray and see if he answers. You will never be the same. I know, and I'm sure the pastor knows also.
