“Let not your heart be troubled…” John 14:1

This passage, often read as a promise of hope during funerals, may have a more significant meaning you can cling to this morning. I’ve been meditating on this passage and encouraged to find hope in Jesus’ words for us. In John 14:1-4, Jesus says,

“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. And where I go, you know, and the way you know.”

I know the word “mansions” seems to imply future celestial real estate, but upon further study, I don’t think this was the message Jesus was communicating. He gives us the key to His analogy by saying, “Where I go, you know, and the way you know.” What place did the disciples know, and what way did they know? They knew the way. It was Jesus. So, where is the place to which He said they could gain access? It is in the company of the Father. Jesus clarifies this in His response to Thomas’ question. He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus goes on to say, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.” (John 14:10-11)

The place Jesus offered to His disciples was the company of the Father. Jesus lived in this place of union with the Father, and He proved this by the miraculous life He led. (John 14:10) Today His invitation is open to you. You can live in the presence of your Father. How do you enter this place? Jesus says, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (John 14:23)

What is the word we must keep to access this closeness? Jesus tells us in John 15:9-14. He commands us to love one another as He loved us. Throughout today, you can continually keep His words, and as you do, worry will dissipate. Your trust in Him will increase, and you will find a safe place of rest. You will enter into the place of the Father’s house.

In the heaviness of the Coronavirus seclusion and fear, we have one commandment from Jesus. We are directed to love one another. As we do this, we will experience His nearness. Yes, God’s presence is everywhere, but those who gain intimate access to Him are those who look past fear, anxiety, and the upheaval before us and find ways to love others. As you do this, you’ll discover the closeness of your Father. Here are a few suggestions on how you can draw the Father close to you today.

1. Call 2-3 people each day to encourage them.
2. In your discussions today, counter words of fear and conspiracy with the truth of God’s love.
3. Buy groceries or supplies for those who can’t get out or need financial help at this time.
4. Set a time to pray for those you know are affected by job loss and other struggles related to this week’s past events.
5. Find ways to give financially to those in need.
6. Set aside time each morning to turn on some worship music and rest in the presence of Your Father.