Devotion for Sunday 13/04/2025

John 14:1-4 (NKJV)

1 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And 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. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.

The fear of the future in uncertain times is a normal human reaction. I have heard these verses being quoted in funerals to assure the bereaving loved ones of the departed that Jesus has taken care of our eternal future. These are among the most comforting words in all scriptures.

Back to the original context of these verses, Jesus had painted a troubling scenario about his impending death. To add to the emotional tension, Jesus indicated that one of the disciples was going to betray him (John 13:21) and predicted that his key leader, Peter, would deny knowing Him at all!

A distressing time indeed. This is why Jesus takes the time to reassure the disciples directly, telling them not to be afraid or be "troubled."

Way back in Chapter 7, Jesus already pointed out that He was about to go somewhere others could not follow (John 7:32–34). It was all cryptic, and the disciples were quite puzzled by what Jesus was saying. As readers, we know that in the short term, Jesus would walk the path of sacrifice, death, resurrection, and ascension.

In a broader sense, Jesus is providing needed reassurance to His disciples in the next phase of His life and ministry (John 14:1). Verse 1 and 2 contains a vague promise to return and bring these men to be where He is going.

To apply these verses personally, Jesus also promised to prepare for us a place where we will have eternal fellowship with Him.

It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!

I don’t know what you are going through right now. Whether you are in a smooth sailing phase or you are going through some turbulent times, take heart, God is in control and our future is in His hands.

Let us be reminded that the sovereignty of God in the hopeful and triumphant verses of Psalms 30:4-5 (NLT):

4 Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!

Praise his holy name.

5 For his anger lasts only a moment,

but his favour lasts a lifetime!

Weeping may last through the night,

but joy comes with the morning!

Have a blessed Palm Sunday!