Sermon Devotional: Jesus' Teaching on Heaven
Sermon Title: Jesus' Teaching on Heaven
Scripture: John 14 (ESV)
Our sermon series on the Book of Revelation is nearing completion. It is a letter which provided great comfort to its first-century audience and should do the same for us. As we approach the wonderful final chapters of Revelation, which deal with the promised New Heavens and New Earth, we jump out this week to, what I believe is, the most comforting text in the Bible. And that is John 14 where Jesus reassures His disciples (and us!) by summarizing who He is and what He is doing for us.
First, Jesus begins this wonderfully comforting text appropriately saying essentially “let not your hearts be troubled” because I am God. Just believe. His description of Himself in verse six is magnificent! Notice Jesus doesn’t say that He will show us a way; He said that He is the way. He doesn’t promise to teach us a truth; He says that He is the truth. Jesus doesn’t offer us the secrets to life; He says that He is life. And there is no other pathway to God the Father, which is a perfect segue to what Jesus promises He is doing for us.
Jesus speaks authoritatively when He describes Heaven as His Father’s house. And so many rooms! I suspect more like ‘suites!’ And the promise that He is going to prepare a suite for you and for me; and then return to take us there to be with Him. What amazing love. Friends, though we may experience agony as we consider the prospect of dying, death itself holds no fear for us because it is our entrance to that ‘suite’ that Jesus has prepared for us in heaven, a suite in the house where He Himself dwells. I don’t know about you, but I long to see Jesus. I want to look into His face, hear His voice, behold His glory.
Borrowing from R.C. Sproul, I love to imagine the conversation if I had been there with the disciples that evening. I would have been just like them, probably asking Jesus, “Is it true that we will live again? Is it true or is it myth? Jesus, tell me the cold reality.” He would have said to me: “Wade, if this were not the truth, I would have told you. I would not have allowed you to go on committing yourself to a myth. I would not have allowed you to pursue devotion to a dream. If it were not so, I would have told you.” That is exactly what He said that night to His disciples, and that makes it the most comforting text in all of Scripture.
Consider—
╬ How does Jesus’ statement “I am the way, the truth, and the life” encourage you? Are there areas of your life where you are relying on your own ‘truth’ instead of following Christ?
╬ How does Jesus’ promise of a ‘suite’ in His Father’s house comfort you in anxious times? What would living today as if that ‘suite’ has already been prepared look like?
╬ Heavenly Father, thank You that we are Your children and that the Lord Jesus is at this very moment, preparing places for us in Your heavenly House. Jesus, when we do not know the way forward, help us remember that You are the way. When we are confused, remind us that You are the truth. And when we become tired and weary, breathe into us the strength of Your life. It is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.
Scripture: John 14 (ESV)
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In my Father's house are many rooms. 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, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where 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.” John 14:1-6
Our sermon series on the Book of Revelation is nearing completion. It is a letter which provided great comfort to its first-century audience and should do the same for us. As we approach the wonderful final chapters of Revelation, which deal with the promised New Heavens and New Earth, we jump out this week to, what I believe is, the most comforting text in the Bible. And that is John 14 where Jesus reassures His disciples (and us!) by summarizing who He is and what He is doing for us.
First, Jesus begins this wonderfully comforting text appropriately saying essentially “let not your hearts be troubled” because I am God. Just believe. His description of Himself in verse six is magnificent! Notice Jesus doesn’t say that He will show us a way; He said that He is the way. He doesn’t promise to teach us a truth; He says that He is the truth. Jesus doesn’t offer us the secrets to life; He says that He is life. And there is no other pathway to God the Father, which is a perfect segue to what Jesus promises He is doing for us.
Jesus speaks authoritatively when He describes Heaven as His Father’s house. And so many rooms! I suspect more like ‘suites!’ And the promise that He is going to prepare a suite for you and for me; and then return to take us there to be with Him. What amazing love. Friends, though we may experience agony as we consider the prospect of dying, death itself holds no fear for us because it is our entrance to that ‘suite’ that Jesus has prepared for us in heaven, a suite in the house where He Himself dwells. I don’t know about you, but I long to see Jesus. I want to look into His face, hear His voice, behold His glory.
Borrowing from R.C. Sproul, I love to imagine the conversation if I had been there with the disciples that evening. I would have been just like them, probably asking Jesus, “Is it true that we will live again? Is it true or is it myth? Jesus, tell me the cold reality.” He would have said to me: “Wade, if this were not the truth, I would have told you. I would not have allowed you to go on committing yourself to a myth. I would not have allowed you to pursue devotion to a dream. If it were not so, I would have told you.” That is exactly what He said that night to His disciples, and that makes it the most comforting text in all of Scripture.
Consider—
╬ How does Jesus’ statement “I am the way, the truth, and the life” encourage you? Are there areas of your life where you are relying on your own ‘truth’ instead of following Christ?
╬ How does Jesus’ promise of a ‘suite’ in His Father’s house comfort you in anxious times? What would living today as if that ‘suite’ has already been prepared look like?
╬ Heavenly Father, thank You that we are Your children and that the Lord Jesus is at this very moment, preparing places for us in Your heavenly House. Jesus, when we do not know the way forward, help us remember that You are the way. When we are confused, remind us that You are the truth. And when we become tired and weary, breathe into us the strength of Your life. It is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.