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Jesus Speaks About Heaven, and Earth
We find these words of Jesus in John 14: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In 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? And 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. And you know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus 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'? Do 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. Believe 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. Very 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. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it."
No one wants to hear a loved one or dear friend say, "I am dying." We have all been there when news from a doctor has moved our loved one to say those words, and the immediate grief that follows tends to cloud whatever else that loved one has to say. Such was the case with the twelve. They had not too long ago witnessed the awesome power of Jesus bring Lazarus back to life (John 11), and now Jesus has shared with them the reality of the coming events that would lead to His death. Peter's reaction was mine, and it may have been yours when he declared, "Never! I won't let this happen to you!" Jesus with love and understanding, shared what he and we need to hear; "Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my 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? And if I 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." Someone heard and it may not have been Peter. Someone remembered these words when this gospel was being written, an imprint of truth and a glimpse into eternity, a reunion place with Jesus for all time. Thomas may have been one who did hear this but still questioned Jesus as to where He was going. Thomas even asked how he and the others would know the way. Jesus responded with those wonderful words, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Thomas asked, Jesus answered. In Jesus we find what we need; the way to life in abundance both here and there; the truth about life and death, more importantly, God's love in all of this, and the life that never ends for the believer. All three are the same, just like Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. All three of these words of Jesus are grounded in our belief; we must believe in Jesus and in so doing we've come to faith in God, and the journey from that starting point of faith is made easier by belief and surrender to God's Holy Spirit to make our way clearer and easier.
We must have faith to believe enough to ask for things along this journey. Many will come alongside us and they will need blessings and we must pray for them, and Jesus said we will do things that will confirm to these along our way as to the One who sent us and Who goes with us. Our prayers will not be limited to our limited faith; they will be placed in the hands of He who answers all prayers and works things for God's glory. What a promise Jesus left with us; "If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it."
The road seems long and difficult, but it starts with the first step. Take that first step with faith, knowing you won't fall if you ask God to hold you and you'll have strength to go the full distance with God's Holy Spirit showing the way and blessing you.
PRAYER: Speak to my heart and mind, Loving God, as I make this journey. Bless me into being a blessing for others; strengthen my faith and let me do that which blesses and glorifies You and Yours. This is my prayer of faith in Christ Jesus, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
