Their Teacher and Lord was going away. Although He had told them of His departure, one of them professed they did not know where He was going (Jn. 14:4-5). Jesus assured Thomas and the other apostles that "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (Jn. 14:6).
Jesus gave assurance to their faith in Him by affirming and encouraging them. He said,
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 (Jn. 14:1-3).
When your faith begins to falter, remember these comforting words of Jesus and renew your confidence in Him and reliance upon Him. Jesus always keeps His word ("if it were not so, I would have told you")! By trusting Him we are able to press on to the heavenly goal. Notice what Jesus said on this occasion that gives comfort to all disciples:
1. Belief in God compels belief in Jesus (Jn. 14:1). Jesus is the "Word" who was with God in the beginning, who is God and the Creator of all things, who became flesh and dwelt among men, who brought grace and truth to earth from heaven's throne and who revealed the Father to mankind (Jn. 1:1-3, 14-18).
The respect and trust one puts in God to give eternal life is rightly given to Jesus (see Jn. 5:21-23). All who truly rely on God will rely on Jesus. The burdens of a heart that is troubled by sin and sorrow are lifted at Calvary (1 Pet. 2:24-25).
2. God's house has many dwelling places (Jn. 14:2). This is not an endorsement of choosing one's own way to heaven, for Jesus said He is "the Way" to the Father; the strait way to eternal life (Jn. 14:6; Matt. 7:13-14). No, here Jesus is assuring His disciples there is limitless capacity, abundant care and keeping, in His Father's house. Soon, the disciples of Christ would be added to the church, the house of God (Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 1 Tim. 3:15). There is room in the kingdom for all who will believe, repent, be baptized and live for Christ (Rom. 1:15-16; Gal. 3:26-29). And, the eternal environs of the heavenly kingdom are boundless. The heavenly abode is spacious and secure. By faith we live for heaven as we journey life's pathway (Heb. 11:13-16; 2 Pet. 3:11-13).
3. Jesus has prepared a place for us (Jn. 14:2). By His death, resurrection, ascension and exaltation, Jesus opened for sinner's our access to heaven's mercy and its eternal mansions (Heb. 2:9-10; 4:14-16; 10:20). He gives sinners rest (Matt. 11:28-30).
4. Jesus will come again and take us home to glory (Jn. 14:3). This world is black with sin, but do not fear: Jesus has overcome the world (Jn. 16:33). With faith in Christ as the Son of God, His victory is yours (1 Jn. 5:4-5).
And isn't that where Jesus began His words of assurance in John 14:1? "You believe in God,
believe also in Me." Oh yes, "where I go you know, and the way you know" (Jn. 14:4). The way
to heaven is Jesus. His way is an obedient faith (Mk. 16:16; Jas. 2:21-24). Living by faith
confirms and conforms to Christ's comforting words: "Let not your heart be troubled."
--- via The Spirit's Sword (Vol. 8, no. 27) ---
"Esther's beauty and character won Ahasuerus's heart, and he made her his queen. Even in her favored position, however, she would risk her life by attempting to see the king when he had not requested her presence. There was no guarantee that the king would even see her. Although she was queen, she was still not secure. But, cautiously and courageously, Esther decided to risk her life by approaching the king on behalf of her people.
"She made her plans carefully. The Jews were asked to fast and pray with her before she went to the king. Then on the chosen day she went before him, and he did ask her to come forward and speak. But instead of issuing her request directly, she invited him and Haman to a banquet. He was astute enough to realize she had something on her mind, yet she conveyed the importance of the matter by insisting on a second banquet.
"In the meantime, God was working behind the scenes. He caused Ahasuerus to read the historical records of the kingdom late one night, and the king discovered that Mordecai had once saved his life. Ahasuerus lost no time in honoring Mordecai for that act. During the second banquet, Esther told the king of Haman's plot against the Jews, and Haman was doomed. There is grim justice in Haman's death on the gallows he had built for Mordecai, and it seems fitting that the day on which the Jews were to be slaughtered became the day their enemies died. Esther's risk confirmed that God was the source of her security.
"How much of your security lies in your possessions, position, or reputation? God has not placed
you in your present position for your own benefit. He put you there to serve him. As in Esther's
case, this may involve risking your security. Are you willing to let God be your ultimate security?
"Strengths and accomplishments:
* Her beauty and character won the heart of Persia's king
* She combined courage with careful planning
* She was open to advice and willing to act
* She was more concerned for others than for her own security
"Lessons from her life:
* Serving God often demands that we risk our own security
* God has a purpose for the situations in which He places us
* Courage, while often vital, does not replace careful planning"
--- Taken from Life Application Bible, page 839 ---