Bible League: Living His Word 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.— John 14:2 NKJV Jesus was about to leave His disciples by dying on the cross. Although He was about to leave them, He was not about to forget them. In fact, it was just the opposite. He was about to leave them so He could go and prepare a special place for them. He was about to do this so that "where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:3). Jesus, in other words, kept His disciples in mind, cared for them, and made sure they would always have a place with Him in the coming ages. Where is this place that Jesus had in mind? It is, of course, in heaven. Jesus was going to return to heaven from whence He came. This place is referred to as the "New Jerusalem" in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 21). Since Jesus was going there to prepare a place for His disciples, one might say that the New Jerusalem was under construction. The many mansions referred to in our verse for today would be built for the disciples in preparation for when they died and went to heaven themselves. Although the place Jesus was preparing for His disciples is in heaven, it will not stay in heaven. One day it will come down to earth. How do we know this? We know because the Apostle John saw it come down in a prophetic vision. He described it in this way: "Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Revelation 21:2). There will be heaven, with all its mansions, on earth. What was true for the disciples of Jesus back then is true for His disciples throughout the ages. He's still preparing places. He's still preparing places for all of us. The New Jerusalem is still under construction. As the gospel message spreads and new converts are brought in, there is a need for more mansions. The construction won't end until the full number is brought in. If you're a Christian, then you need a place in heaven too. Like He did for his first disciples, Jesus is in the process of fulfilling that need. He's preparing a mansion for you -- that where He is you may be also. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading1 Samuel 4, 5, 6 1 Samuel 4 -- Philistines Take the Ark; Death of Eli NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Samuel 5 -- Philistines Smitten while Possessing the Ark NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Samuel 6 -- Philistines Return the Ark to Israel NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 12:35-59 Luke 12 -- God Knows All; Parable of the Rich Fool; Anxiety; Watchfulness NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion A gentle answer deflects anger,but harsh words make tempers flare. Insight Have you ever tried to argue in a whisper? It is equally hard to argue with someone who insists on answering gently. On the other hand, a rising voice and harsh words almost always trigger an angry response. Challenge To turn away wrath and seek peace, choose gentle words. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Luke 23:33 The place which is called Calvary.The hill of comfort is the hill of Calvary; the house of consolation is built with the wood of the cross; the temple of heavenly blessing is founded upon the riven rock--riven by the spear which pierced his side. No scene in sacred history ever gladdens the soul like Calvary's tragedy. "Is it not strange, the darkest hour That ever dawned on sinful earth, Should touch the heart with softer power, For comfort, than an angel's mirth? That to the Cross the mourner's eye should turn, Sooner than where the stars of Bethlehem burn?" Light springs from the midday-midnight of Golgotha, and every herb of the field blooms sweetly beneath the shadow of the once accursed tree. In that place of thirst, grace hath dug a fountain which ever gusheth with waters pure as crystal, each drop capable of alleviating the woes of mankind. You who have had your seasons of conflict, will confess that it was not at Olivet that you ever found comfort, not on the hill of Sinai, nor on Tabor; but Gethsemane, Gabbatha, and Golgotha have been a means of comfort to you. The bitter herbs of Gethsemane have often taken away the bitters of your life; the scourge of Gabbatha has often scourged away your cares, and the groans of Calvary have put all other groans to flight. Thus Calvary yields us comfort rare and rich. We never should have known Christ's love in all its heights and depths if he had not died; nor could we guess the Father's deep affection if he had not given his Son to die. The common mercies we enjoy all sing of love, just as the sea-shell, when we put it to our ears, whispers of the deep sea whence it came; but if we desire to hear the ocean itself, we must not look at every-day blessings, but at the transactions of the crucifixion. He who would know love, let him retire to Calvary and see the Man of sorrows die. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.Ezekiel 16:14 "Then your fame went forth among the nations on account of your beauty, for it was perfect because of My splendor which I bestowed on you," declares the Lord GOD. Luke 5:8 But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" Job 42:6 Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes." Romans 7:21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. Matthew 9:2 And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven." Romans 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. Colossians 2:10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; Colossians 1:28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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