When the disciples of Jesus needed to be comforted, He reminded them of the promise of heaven. In John 14:1, Jesus said, “Do not let your heart be troubled.” Those men were beginning to realize that difficult days were coming, and Jesus knew what words they needed to hear. Regardless of how challenging, confusing, or scary things would become, they needed to trust in Him.
In the next verse, Jesus continues, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). How troubling would it be for the disciples to consider that Jesus was going to leave after they had left everything to follow Him? Jesus makes it clear that His departure is actually for their benefit. He is leaving to “prepare a place” for each of them.
Finally, those disciples hear the most comforting words of all. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3). It is not just that these men do not need to worry or that His departure is for their benefit; Jesus makes it clear that He will return. He is coming back, and when He does, He will take His disciples to be with Him.
Just like those disciples, the comfort that we find in the promise of heaven is what sustains our faith. Heaven is a place where God dwells, prepared by God, and prepared for us.
Matt Langfield