There’s no place like home
"There’s no place like home," Dorothy repeats as she wishes to go home. When holidays roll around and you get to go home and see old friends, doesn’t it feel good? You feel safe and secure when you’re at home with loved ones. There truly is no place like home.
Jesus also spoke of going home. He told His disciples in John 14 that He was going to prepare them a place. Why would Jesus need to encourage His disciples at this time? Jesus predicted His betrayal and told His disciples that He was going to a place they could not follow (John 13:21, 36). The disciples were troubled at His announcement that He would be leaving them (John 13:37). A short time later, Judas would betray Jesus. Beginning there, the final pages of Jesus’ earthly life would soon be completed. Thus, Jesus encouraged His disciples in the beginning verses of John 14.
The first thing Jesus told them is "don’t worry" (John 14:1). Jesus reassured His disciples that just as they believed in God, they could believe in Him too. Jesus told them that He was going in order to prepare them a place. They need not worry because, in going, Jesus was preparing them a place, a home.
Next, Jesus told them that there was a place for them. "In My Father’s house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2). Jesus again comforted His disciples by saying in a sense, "I’m not just going to prepare a place, but I’m preparing a place for you!" He made it personal. There’s definitely room enough in heaven, but, more importantly, there’s room for you. That was something in which they could believe.
Finally, Jesus told them that not only is there a place for them, but it’s guaranteed. He says in verse 3, "I WILL come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:3). There was a place reserved for those who would continue to follow Him. As He said earlier, "And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:22). There is a guaranteed home in heaven for those who choose to endure the trials and temptations here on earth.
Jesus told them that they knew the place of which He spoke. He was referring to heaven, and not only did He say they knew the place, but they also knew the way (John 14:4). They knew where and how to get to the home prepared for them. What they needed to do was endure so they would reach that dwelling place prepared for them.
The application for us is that there’s also a home for us! It’s guaranteed, if we choose to endure. We too know the way, but we also must put forth the effort to get there.