John 14:1-3 - A Place Prepared for Us

John 14:1-3

1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 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. 3 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.

Message: A Place Prepared for Us

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: I now begin chapter 14. In chapter 13, Jesus is beginning to prepare more for his departure from earth as he knows it is getting closer. As this is occurring, most of the disciples are committed to Jesus but one is unwilling to surrender and Jesus announces the betrayal of Judas while also emphasizing that Jesus' disciples are those that are willing to live and act as He lives and acts practicing what He does. While the chapter mentions betrayal, it also reveals the knowledge Jesus has for people - knowing Judas will betray him but also knowing Peter will deny him. Peter, a representative of the disciples, speaks to Jesus, wanting to follow Him. Jesus talks of the glorification that will occur of Him - and how the cross will culminate much in history. The disciples won't follow Him to the where He is going to be with the Father because they probably don't understand completely what is going on. But they will come to heaven one day. 

So now I jump into Chapter 14 and Jesus continues now to be taking about the future place in which the disciples will join Jesus. He is leaving to go and prepare a place for his disciples, for his followers. Going back to Chapter 13, verse 36 Jesus says, "You cannot follow Me now" and then 14:2 says, "For I go to prepare a place for you." I like this thought that Jesus is leaving this earth, going to heaven and preparing a place for us, for his disciples. 

From a literal point, Peter asks the question in verse 36 and Jesus answers Peter in verse 36 and then states further in 14:2 that He is preparing a place for you, which could only mean Peter. So how do we know these words can be applied to all the disciples or all people? One idea is the conversation with Jesus is expanded to "no one" or everyone in John 14:6. Some have said Peter acts as a representative for the other disciples in asking questions, so all of these words by Jesus would then also be towards the disciples. And then from there we can expand the disciples to everyone. 

Going back to verse 1, I continue to see in John's words the linking of God and Jesus. It is as if John through his book is imploring the audience, the Jewish people, who believe in God to also believe in Jesus. He does this by frequently speaking this idea of - if you believe in God you will also believe in Jesus. The most basic idea seems to be that God sent Jesus and if that occurred then we need to believe in the one that God sent. And yet also stating these words, "Believe in God, believe also in Me" almost gives the idea that to believe in God is the same as believing in Jesus. As if there is something more than simply believing that God has sent Jesus to believing in God and Jesus is the same thing or the same belief because Jesus is God. That's the leap of faith it seems the Bible is moving people towards. And now in modern day Christianity the leap that the Church is imploring all people to believe. 

Then in verse 3, Jesus says, "I go and prepare a place for you." And "I will come again" And "receive you to myself" --- "that where I am, you may be also." 

Rather than speaking of heaven, could this be going back to verse 13:31 and the idea of the "Son of Man glorified." Jesus, fully man, will be glorified. God will transfer all of His glory to Jesus. And could this be talking of the resurrection? That place could be heaven, but that place could also be the freedom found in Christ when all of our sins are clearly paid for. Jesus has been walking the earth and assuring people that He is real and He is equal to God and He can be trusted, but on the cross, all sin will be paid. And until all that sin is paid, being with Him and with the Father cannot happen yet. 

Jesus is giving Peter (and the disciples) the promise that while He needs to leave and they can't come with him right now, that He will come back and then they will be able to be received to Himself. John prepared the way for Jesus. Jesus is preparing the way for His followers. The High Priest entered the holy of holies annually to offer the blood of the sacrifice and Jesus now will be going to the cross to offer His blood, sacrifice to save all. 

Overall, Jesus is saying, "Trust me." He is telling Peter and the disciples that they do not need to be concerned, that while they want to be with Him and follow Him now, He will be back and they will be together. 

Summary: Jesus to Peter and disciples promises that though He is leaving, He is preparing a place for them and He will return and they will be where He is going. 

Promise: We shall meet again, and dwell in a place where there shall be no more separation and no more tears.

Prayer: Lord, the promise I receive from you is to trust You even when I do not understand all that is ahead of me. I get scared and nervous and I want to be in control, often believing or stating that I know best. But you tell me as you have told the disciples to trust you. And whatever it means to be glorified, whether it is salvation or bringing me one day to heaven, your promises are rich and complete and it reminds me that You are the author and you are the great provider of all. Lord, I can trust You. I can believe in You and Your promise, always. Thank you. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.