By Kristen Fox
It was the Last Supper His disciples would have here on earth with Him. These were His final moments before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Although He was omniscient and fully aware of what lay before Him, He took these remaining minutes to continue investing in His disciples. Scripture tells us He knew He was about to depart from this world and return to the Father. Even though the end result is one of joy and reunion with the Father, we are clearly told that Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified to His betrayal by one of His own.
The disciples are . . . well, human. They are confused, disturbed, curious, fearful, shocked, doubtful, selfish . . . all the states that at times characterize us as His followers. But Jesus calls them beyond themselves, setting an example of love and encouraging them to believe in God, to believe in Him. Even though they are devastated by the thought that He will leave them, Jesus offers the stunning promise of eternity in heaven with Him, and He invites them to know, not only Him, but the Father.
There are times in life when we are shaken to the core. It is during these moments, when we are confused and troubled, our limited knowledge can dictate our heart, words, and actions. Our flesh fights within us to have a voice and to have control. But just as with His disciples, Jesus lovingly speaks to us . . .
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 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. . . . I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:1-3,6
These words are a precious gift to each of us who know Jesus as our Savior. Whatever comes our way, whatever circumstance, whatever memory, whatever broken relationship, Jesus is there, calling us to believe, to BELIEVE. We are not told to believe in just anything or anyone. We are told, with emphasis, to believe in God and to believe in Him! Jesus’ departure felt like a devastating loss to the disciples, but in reality, it was cause for great rejoicing. Jesus went to prepare a place for us, a place where He is, and He promised to come again and receive us, so that we can be with Him.
When I am troubled, this is what I grasp – that He has prepared a place for me with Him; and this is WHO I grasp – Jesus Christ, fully God, fully Man, Savior and Redeemer. He has promised to come for His children and to take us with Him that we may be in heaven also. He is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. That is one of the greatest promises ever to issue from the heart of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Equip Her 