Dear Explorer,
Read John 14:1-3
At a time when Jesus' most grueling ordeal was at hand, He turned to His disciples with these words of encouragement. But they are not just applicable to them. They are words that Jesus is speaking to you and me. Read them softly to yourself and insert your own name as if Jesus is speaking to you.
I needed to be away from my two little ones when my Dad was seriously ill. I knew that my children would be well cared for, but I also wanted them to understand that Mommy loved them and was thinking of them. Since they were 7 and 9 at the time -- I prepared hand-written love notes for them to open each morning at breakfast. Of course, I reminded them to be good for their caregivers and to hug Daddy for me, but I also reminded them of my love for them and explained why I was away and that I would return as soon as possible.
What are the promises given in John 14:3?
The Bible is your special love note from Jesus. It explains where He is, why He went, what He is doing, and that He'll return for you.
Knowing that I would hold my precious little ones in my arms soon, kept me anticipating my return. Did you know that Jesus feels the same way about you?
My kids used to sing a little children's song that stated, “It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars, the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.” The implication is that Heaven will be even greater because He's been working on it for a LOOOOOOng time! (Bill and Gloria Gaither, He's Still Working on Me).
Read John 14:4-10
A few years ago, I bought a counseling book that I needed for my ministry. When I found time to sit down and look through it, I quickly checked the index, turned to Chapter 17, and started reading. I was shocked to find that the author was ahead of me.
Chapter 17 was titled something like "Solutions" and the first sentence stated that if I was like most people, I had picked up the book and turned to this chapter to begin reading. Bingo! Then it went on to say that that was inappropriate because until I understood the background and the problem, I couldn't possibly understand the solution. Chagrined, I turned to Chapter 1 and begin reading it properly!
We have taken many months together to understand the problem of emptiness and sin and the character of God and His great love for us. Today we see Jesus telling His disciples the "solution". But it's so simple that if you don't know the background, you'll miss it.
Jesus prompts Thomas' question by implying that the disciples understood the plan. Afterall, He had told them over and over. Thomas blurts out to the contrary. As we've studied together, I hope that you have come to understand God's great love for you. I hope you've come to understand that nothing you could do or say or earn could ever make you right with God. But even after 3 years of walking daily with Jesus, the disciples were still questioning how it works.
Write out Jesus “solution” to our emptiness in your own words (John 14:6).