Trusting

Trusting

John 14:1-3, NLT

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

Setting the Scene

After hearing what Jesus had said about Judas’s betrayal, Peter’s denial, and his own imminent departure, the disciples must have been confused and “troubled” (see John 13:28). So Jesus told them to anchor their trust in him. Jesus indicated that he and the Father would prepare a place for the disciples while he was gone, and that he would return for them.

Jesus knew he would be taken forcefully from them, falsely accused, tortured, and crucified. He knew the disciples would scatter and hide, their faith severely tested. So he encouraged them to hold on to their trust in God and to trust in him.

Later, Jesus told the disciples why he had given them glimpses of the near future: “I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe” (John 14:29, NLT). Even Judas’s betrayal and the terrible events to follow should reassure them that Jesus was who he said he was. After all, he had predicted those very events. Thus the disciples could be confident that everything Jesus had predicted and promised would come true.

Jesus had said that he would “prepare a place” in his Father’s house for the disciples, and he reaffirmed that promise, adding that eventually they would be reunited forever in heaven.

Getting Personal

When do you feel your trust in God being undermined, with doubts creeping in?

What evidence do you have that you can trust Jesus to bring you through and to bring you home?

What difference should your trust make in how you live from day to day?

Jesus’ words to the disciples should encourage us as well. Throughout his time with these followers, Jesus had warned them about opposition. He had always told them the truth, even the predictions of pain, separation, rejection, and persecution. And everything happened, just as he said. So we can believe his words about the future, too. What a glorious future that will be, together with Jesus forever! In the meantime, during our struggles and sorrows, we trust him. When we feel lonely and abandoned, we trust him. When we don’t know what to do or which way to turn, we trust him. He is preparing a place, our place.

Talking to God

The Lord understands your questions and doubts about the future, so don’t hesitate to bring them all to him. Ask him to help you focus on his love, his faithfulness, and his many promises regarding your future. Thank him for being such a perfect promise keeper.