Details Please!

John 14, part two 

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. And you know the way where I am going. Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.’ 

I tend to feel certainty and confidence when I know (or I think I know) what is going to “HAPPEN”. I look at my schedule, my calendar and I feel comforted. I have plans! I know what I’m going to do and where I’m going to be and who I’m going to be with. I get irritated when my schedule suddenly changes and I can’t do what “I planned to do.”   

Jesus says, believe in Me. My comfort and security should be in God, in the person of Jesus, not in my plans or my physical schedule of events. The disciples had real “faith” issues. They doubted. I sometimes have faith issues. I doubt and fear. Jesus said, ‘Believe in ME! Believe in who I am and what I have promised you.’ 

In addition to simply telling them to have faith, Jesus kindly gives them a plan. He tells them something that is going to “happen” to give them comfort.  

In My Father‘s house are many dwelling places…for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, you will be also.  

Jesus, I appreciate the promise but can I get a date for this event so that I can plan for it? NO. Just believe in ME! Month by month, week by week, day by day and moment by moment. Jesus says, I am with you, I have a plan for you and I am your peace.  

This is all good but I still need more answers. I want more details.  

We sometimes hear about preachers who claim they have insight into when actual world events or the coming of Jesus is going to happen. People are drawn to it because they want to KNOW and they want details? It’s human nature. But we are not to live according to our human nature. The righteous shall live by their faith! 

Doubting Thomas wanted more specifics so he asks, we do not know where you are going, how will we know the way? Jesus replied,  

I am the way, the truth and the life… 

I hope to dig into these a little deeper in the next few days.  Jesus, thank you that you are always with me. I am blessed to know what the disciples didn’t know at that time. We can look back and see the evidence of all You have done.  You are with us always. There is no need for fear. May my confidence be completely in You!!! Jesus, help me believe in YOU. To trust in YOU. To find my peace in YOU! Amen.