John 14:1-7 – 1Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In 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. 3And 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. 4You know the way to the place where I am going. 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
John indicates that those following Jesus were troubled. Several things were causing this: Jesus told them He was departing, He implied He would die by crucifixion, He indicated everyone would desert Him and Peter would deny Him, He stated one from their own ranks would betray Him, and He told them they could not follow Him until much later. Anyone wanting His rule to begin immediately would be troubled.
Social, economic, employment and international issues are causing a great sense of uneasiness today. Present day followers of Jesus are becoming equally troubled. Many are working longer hours and feeling less fulfilled. Some are facing health issues. All the medical advancement has yet to discover cures for heart disease and cancer. Many are ensnared by a variety of fears, worries and doubts. Some are living with a constant sense of dread.
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Trouble can influence the deepest recesses of your being and may not only impact your thoughts. Emotional turbulence can become attached to anxious thinking. Volitional confusion can become associated with troublesome fear.
Followers of Jesus need divine confidence. How does Jesus encourage believers to overcome anxiety? He gives them something to do and something to think about.
Something to do: Trust Jesus.
Jesus said, “Trust in God; trust also in me.” (V. 1) Instead of simply believing God exist, put your faith in Him.
When England was on the verge of one of the greatest trials any nation could ever face, invasion from another country, King George VI in his Christmas message of 1939 quoted British author M. Louise Haskins: “I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, ‘Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown,’ and he replied, ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.” Faith in God is the way of victory; a faith that sees opportunities regardless the trial.
The Spirit of Christ can take the edge off the troubled heart. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Jesus also said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
There are over 365 “fear not” statements in the Bible, one for each day and every season of the year. A troubled heart vanishes when you trust Jesus through all the seasons of your life.
Something to think about: Heaven.
When you find yourself short on confidence think about heaven. Get heaven on your mind. This place is one of the great joys connected to having a meaningful relationship with God.
Years ago a Youth Pastor worked with me who once ministered in Kentucky. He often said, “Northerners do not talk and sing enough about heaven.” Is this why many who follow Jesus often appear discouraged? To use a Southern phrase, some are caught up with “stinkin’ thinkin.”
There was a time when the church was accused of being so heavenly minded that it was no earthly good. Has the church now become so worldly minded that it is no heavenly good? Get heaven on your mind as a replacement for the uncertainties of this world.
I was privileged to work with songwriter Lowell Lundstrom for a few years. His most popular songs were mostly about heaven. Songs about heaven help minimize the sufferings and worries of life.
Another memorable moment was becoming acquainted with the songwriter Ira Stanphill, a very kind and gracious gentleman. His songs, regularly sung in churches, are mostly about heaven, many written when experiencing great personal tragedy.
Slavery is a tragic part of American history. The songs slaves sang, in a life filled with trouble, were songs of an eternal home.
Songs of heaven are a great source of encouragement and strength.
Heaven is real
Jesus assures us that heaven exist. Three phrases reveal the reality of heaven: “My Father’s house… many rooms (the King James Version uses “mansions”)… a place for you.” The phrases “Father’s house” and “many rooms” are statements of a permanent dwelling. The phrase “for you” is a statement of personal designation.
Jesus left to carefully custom create a place for your habitation. You will feel right at home with the Father. He promised to go and He did. He promised to prepare and He is. He promised to come and He will.
“13Then one of the elders asked me, ‘These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?’ 14I answered, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said, ‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” (Revelation 7:13-17)
“3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ 6He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.’” (Revelation 21:3-7)
When circumstances trouble you trust Him and get heaven on your mind.
The great question: How to get to heaven?
One of the disciples, sometimes referred to as “Doubting Thomas,” a person with a questioning nature, asked the how question. Since no one knows the actual location of heaven, how does someone get there?
Jesus did not respond by giving a location. The location is not important. He did, however, give clear directions.
Those who want to go to heaven have to go by way of the triple “I am,” the name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush in the wilderness.
“I am the way.” Jesus is the road to the Father’s house. Being religious or having social status has nothing to do with the road to heaven. Being patriotic, being benevolent or being kind does not make a person deserving of the place. Jesus stated the road is very specific, requiring a meaningful relationship with God through His Son.
Three things will surprise people when they get to heaven: Finding many there they did not expect, finding some not there they did expect, and, the greatest wonder, finding themselves there.
“I am the truth.” Jesus is the light for the journey. Deception and delusion causes people to miss the road to heaven. Revelation 22:15 discloses what is omitted from the Father’s house: “Outside are…those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Falsehood leaves a person blindly groping for trustworthy directions. Liars never trust anyone to give the truth and will not believe others about the Way.
“I am the life.” Jesus is the strength to reach the destination. The road to heaven is not about striving but about abiding. The road to heaven is not about earthly fame but about heavenly prominence.
Years ago an opinion poll asked who were “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to make it to heaven. The people selected were well known at the time. The survey gave the following results:
- 66% of Americans believed Oprah Winfrey would make the cut.
- 65% believed Michael Jordan.
- 55% believed Al Gore and Hillary Clinton.
- 52% believed Bill Clinton.
- Here’s how others ranked: Pat Robertson – 46%, Newt Gingrich – 40%, Dennis Rodman – 28%, O.J. Simpson – 19%.
- Mother Teresa got the highest vote with 79%.
- Yet 87% of those surveyed thought they themselves would probably go to heaven.
On this issue everyone stands on equal ground – the way is faith, the light is truth, and the strength is Jesus.
This story describes a fulfilled life: “Once there was an old man who everyday would take long walks with the Lord. On these walks he and the Lord would talk about all kinds of things – about the important times in the man’s life, such as when he met his wife, the birth of his children, special moments with the Lord and many other things. One day while they were out walking for an especially long time, the Lord looked at the old man and said, ‘We are closer to my house than to yours. Why don’t you just come home with me?’ And that is what he did.” You will go to the Father’s house if you simply walk with Him.
Jesus told His followers: “That you also may be where I am.” Ultimately heaven is being with Jesus. You can presently experience a little bit of heaven each day by spending time with Him in prayer.
Are you finding your heart troubled? Trust in Jesus and get heaven on your mind. Whatever troubles you are experiencing will not go to heaven with you. Every trouble, no matter how traumatic, will someday pass away.
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