Key Verse: "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."
John 14:3
Well, I bet
that by now, you know where this is headed. We hear this passage so often in
funerals to give us hope for eternity. You should know by now, however, that
this is actually a part of the betrothal agreement. The intended bride has
accepted the cup from the hand of the groom. They have drunk of it together,
pledging their commitment to one another. Now, the groom must go to prepare a
place, for He and His intended, to enjoy their marriage week together. He leaves
her behind, in the care of her family, as He goes forth, to His father's home,
to prepare the place.
Some of us
may be more familiar with the King James version of this passage which says,
"many mansions." In our western, capitalistic society, that may be
appealing. "Wow! When I get to heaven, I will have a mansion all to
myself!" I believe that "rooms," or a "room," or
"place," is more accurate, especially knowing what we know about the
marriage customs of Jesus’ day. There will be room enough for all of us, but we
will all be together, in one place, as His bride.
Sadly, He is
leaving us behind for now. He knows that
many of us will find ourselves in a hostile environment and He will deal with
that issue later on. However, since we have accepted His cup, His pledge to us,
we trust that he will keep his promise to return to us to bring us to the new
home that He is preparing for us.
Just as in
Jesus' day, the bridegroom's coming was a surprise, heralded by the fanfare of
the groomsmen, so Christ's return for His bride will be a surprise.
Nevertheless, He has promised to come for us and His promise is sure and sound.
Our job is to be ready when He does appear.
Comments
Post a Comment