Some thoughts by William Hesbrook on
The Trip of a Life Time ... Going Home
"There are many rooms in my Father's home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am". [John 14:2-3, New Living Translation]
There
are many rooms in my Father's home.
Some
people when talking of houses describe them as having three bedrooms, or
four, or to give an impression of size they might say four bedrooms with
two en-suite. In this passage Jesus simply says "many rooms".
The word "many" implies that the counting of the rooms is meaningless,
futile. These rooms are also in the residence of His Father.
They are not in His holiday house, garden shed or some other property He
happens to own. He lives in this house and you can expect to bump
into Him around the house!
I
am going to prepare a place for you
He
is making special, personal preparations specifically for you and me.
This will be no anonymous hotel type room. The place we're going
to is designed and lovingly prepared by Him, with just us in mind.
He knows us intimately.
When
everything is ready
This
is the moment we are all waiting for. His preparations are complete
but more to the point, we are ready too. Everything means EVERYTHING.
You and I are just a couple of the things, along with all the other things,
big and small. Everything is part of the grand design.
I
will come and get you.
This
is the best bit! He promises to come and collect us. No one
faces the journey alone; not even a part of the journey. There will
be no rendezvous place or time, no "I'll meet you at the top of the clouds"
stuff! Jesus Himself comes to escort us to His Father's home.
He will be there at our earthly departure point. He will make it
HIS business to ensure we arrive where we ought to be. He will travel
the route with us and ensure our safe arrival. We will be guided
and protected all the way. There is, after all, a particular place
prepared just for you and me and only that place will fit us.
You
will always be with me, where I am.
Jesus
knows the plan and where we all fit into the plan - both here and in His
Father's home - hence the detail and care taken to make sure all the pieces
fit perfectly. Nothing is, or will be, left to chance. Everything
is ordered. Everything is in His hand and we shall always be with
Him, where He is.