Preparing A Home

by R. A. Parker, Stoke-on-Trent, England | Category: Maran Atha | Jul 1999

The night the Lord Jesus was betrayed was a troubled night for His disciples. They were fearful and uncertain, and understandably so. The Master knew what was happening, 'that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father', and 'that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and goeth unto God' (John 13: 1,3). Precious words! But the disciples didn't know. The Deceiver was present, waiting to enter into Judas Iscariot and a feeling of darkness and mystery pervaded the Upper Room. The Lord Jesus understood so well the anxiety which filled the hearts of these men He loved so deeply. To allay their fears and comfort their hearts He spoke those memorable words, 'Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me' (John 14:1).

A place for you

Then he proceeded to tell them about the place He was going to prepare for them. That touched a chord in their hearts. Every husband and father aspires to provide a home for his family. That is his life-long dream. So the disciples understood when the Master went on to say:

In my Father's house are many mansions...

I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2).

It is a word of pure comfort. If He had said 'In my Father's house are many places' (Gk: topos) there would have been nothing special or exciting about that. Topos means an ordinary place. But He used the Greek word mon and when we examine that word all the warmth and glow of His promise can be felt. The Revised Version margin substitutes 'abiding places' and all that home means to the human heart is contained in the word. An abiding place or mansion He has gone to prepare in the Father's house for all who believe in Him. The word mon is used only twice in the New Testament, here and in verse 23 of the same chapter. He has gone to prepare an abiding place for us and meantime He and His Father want to find an abiding place in our hearts where they are welcomed in ongoing, day-by-day communion. About this John writes in his first epistle, 'yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ' (1:3).

Live in anticipation

When a believer dies he or she is said to be 'at home with the Lord' (2 Cor. 5:8); end me is the word used, to be among one's people. It is contrasted with ekd me ,to be away from home, to be absent. So those who through death are now absent from the body are present with the Lord, and that is very precious. But more precious still is the promise of John 14, 'that where I am, there ye may be also', for then we shall be at home with Him in spirit, soul and body. And that will happen when in fulfilment of His promise He comes again to receive us unto Himself. Let us live in anticipation of that glorious day. Maran atha!

R. A. Parker, Stoke-on-Trent, England | Jul 1999
Maran Atha