“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:1-6)
Jesus was trying to prepare his disciples for his departure and return to the Father. Soon he would be betrayed and crucified, and he knew his disciples would experience sorrow and troubled hearts. Listen again to the reasons they could persevere in hope.
Jesus brought the disciples to faith in God and faith in Jesus. Jesus made it clear that He and the Father were one, and so faith in Jesus meant faith in the Father.
Jesus promised a dwelling place in the Father’s house. Enough places for everyone that were safe and permanent.
Jesus goes ahead to prepare a place for the disciples and in the right time he will return to bring us back to be with him.
Thomas asks the all important question: “How can we know the way”? See how Jesus gives us more than an answer! He gives us himself. He says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” And in Jesus we are assured of a safe, confident and merciful relationship with God.
All of us ask questions of God. In the midst of any and all of our questions, Jesus is enough. Jesus holds us close and assures us we are safe in God. Jesus promises us the same things he promised his first disciples.
