John 14:1-6 Comforting words

 John 14:1-6 

Comforting words 

 

Have you ever been around someone who has the ability to comfort you with their presence and their words? 

Some people comfort me just being around them. 

• In tough times  

• In times of sadness 

• In uncertainty 

 

There are passages I turn to in the scripture that comfort me like that too.  These words are some of the most comforting to me during difficult times. 

 

This chapter and verses are part of the Farewell Discourse (13-17)

The Passion Narrative (chapters 18-20)  

Purpose of the gospel in (20: 30-31) 

“Do not let your heart be troubled” (v.1).   

What troubles the disciples is Jesus’ imminent departure (see 13:36). 

Let those words wash over you for a moment.  No matter what you are walking through, it is good news tonight. 

“Believe in God,” translated as imperative, believe means personal, relational.  It does not mean just intellectual agreement.   

"In my Father’s house is many dwelling places” (v.2) 

In the beauty of the old KJV uses the word “mansions.”   

The word literally means “dwelling places.” NASB translates.  But that does not mean that referring to something small.    It is referring to places to live in the large house. 

The translation “rooms” is not meant to convey the idea of small spaces, but only to keep consistency in the metaphor of heaven as God’s “house.” 

My niece would sing a song in church “Jesus I heard you had a big house…” when she was a little girl. 

With Jesus we all have a room and there is plenty of room.   

All together with Jesus! 

A place (vv.2-3) 

It is a real place – not a state of mind. “I go and prepare a place for you” 

It is a prepared place – it is one that is suited for all eternity. 

It will never decay or grow old.   

It is a promised place  

“I will come again and receive you to myself” (v.3) 

When can depend on it because of who said it.  Jesus is true to his word.   

It is a permanent place 

“Where I am there you may be also “(v.3) 

We will be with him.   

For all eternity 

It is a place with clear directions to it.  (Verses 4-6) 

I am terrible with directions. 

There is a turn coming home from Beaufort that I have made tons of times, but I ask Stephanie each time because both options of directions do not make sense to me.  I want a third option. 

In the mountains in Kentucky I would get so lost.  One time I was with Stephanie and she kept saying I think we are heading home (SC).  Sure enough we were.  Again both options of direction signs as few as they were did not make sense to me. 

Heaven is not like that:  Jesus makes it so clear to us in Verse 6. 

We do not have many ways to heaven.

We are not all working for the same thing, Buddha, Islam etc. 

The only way to heaven is Jesus. 

Let these words of assurance from John 14:1-6 ring within your heart!

 

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.”