John 14:1-14 (NRSV)
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Chapter 14"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. Verse 2In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? Verse 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.
Verse 4And you know the way to the place where I am going." Verse 5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Verse 6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Verse 7If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Verse 8Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Verse 9Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Verse 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Verse 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.
Verse 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Verse 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Verse 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
Devotion
Many are the faithful Christians who have been laid to rest accompanied by these powerful and comforting words. As He speaks these words, Jesus is yet, to all appearances, a flesh and blood person, himself subject to death. But in anticipation of the victory that will be given Him by the Father in His resurrection, He promises that He will be for us both guide and destination as we "on our final journey go."
Even with all the aches and pains and loss of ability that come with the passing years, most of us are not eagerly seeking the Exit. Life for most continues to have enough of goodness and blessing that we savor each day and give thanks for it. And some of us perhaps imagine that we haven't finished our assignment on this earth yet! But the end will come and we seek always to be ready for it. As the old hymn reads, "We know not what the future has of marvel or surprise, assured alone that life and death His mercy underlies." We are Easter people—death is not the last word!
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the assurance in which we live that we are your beloved children for now and for always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.