Friday, May 15, 2009
John 14:1-6, 18-19 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 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. 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. And where I go you know, and the way you know." Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. . . . I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also."
THE MEANING OF THE RESURRECTION:
A PLACE IN HEAVEN PREPARED FOR ME
Are you familiar with the "I am" statements of Jesus? With these words Jesus announced to the world that He is more than just a man -- He is the TRUE GOD, Jehovah (see John 8:58). Jesus spoke these words to reveal His deity, but also to describe His work. "I am the Bread of Life" (John 6:35); "I am the Light of the World" (John 8:12); "I am the Door of the Sheep" (John 10:7); "I am the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11); "I am the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25); "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6); "I am the True Vine" (John 15:1).
It is interesting to note that each of Jesus' "I am" statements deal with the promise of life. Review them for yourself. Look at the promises of life that Jesus gives with each one. In these verses from John 14 Jesus makes a clear connection between His resurrection and ours: "Because I live, you will live also." But there is much more! Jesus also promises to prepare a place for us in heaven: "I go to prepare a place for you. 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." What a promise! Through His death He has prepared a place for us in heaven. With His resurrection He has assured us of our own resurrection. And finally He promises to come and get us, so we may be with Him forever!
