Lessons from John 14: Repent and Confess

Where are you failing to love as Jesus loves because you are relying on yourself instead of on Him?

Repent and confess your wrong thinking to Him and He will restore you unto Himself, just like He did with Peter.

Well, in light of Jesus disturbing news, the disciples apparently became very troubled. And therefore Jesus comforted them with His words.

He said, beginning in John 14:1, “ Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Instead, (my wording) trust in God, trust also in Me. Jesus was saying don’t worry, this will not end in my or your destruction. In fact, it must take place in order for something greater to spring forth. And that greater good is that when I leave here, I am going to return to my Father’s house, heaven, from where I came. And when I do, I am making the way for you to come also.

You see, Jesus was leaving with a purpose.

If Jesus didn’t go to the cross, heaven’s doors would never open for us. We would remain just as we are–lost sinners in need of a Savior. But Jesus didn’t leave us that way. No, instead He came and He accomplished His Father’s will. And He did it perfectly without sin.

Verses 3-4 say, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

If you have ever studied verses about heaven, you know they give us a glimpse of what awaits us there. Heaven is out of this world. In other words, it’s not a place we can drive to, or fly to. Heaven is beyond this earthly sphere. It is where God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, along with every saint who has ever lived for the hope of Christ Jesus, resides.

And in it has been prepared a place. Our verse today found in 14:2 uses the word “rooms,” dwelling places, that have been prepared with each individual believer in mind.

We learn from Philippians 3:20-21, believers are citizens of heaven. And Jesus is our passport there.

And when we arrive there we will be given a glorified body. Meaning a body that will not decay or deteriorate. A body that is in perfect form and free from sin. We will also possess a new way of thinking and living for all eternity.

So when will this happen? I don’t know! No one knows for sure. But it will happen in God’s good timing, and I do believe we are closer than we think.

In I Thessalonians 4:13-18 we are told that Jesus will come down from heaven with a loud command. The dead in Christ will rise first, and the living believers will be caught up with them to meet Him in the air. There we will live with Him forever.

We learn from I John 3:2-3 that God’s children will be like Jesus when He appears.

And we learn from Revelation 22:7 that Jesus is coming soon and He will bless the faithful. As we truly take hold of this hope, maybe continue to purify our lives now.

Jesus’ second coming comforts believers as they await His return.

Terri Hamman

Faith & Fitness Coach