John 14:2-4 Think about the last time you had a houseguest. Did you do anything special to prepare for his arrival? Perhaps you dusted the furniture, cleaned the rugs, mopped the floors, and so on. Or, maybe you planned a scrumptious menu and purchased unusual ingredients at the supermarket. Some people are even known for painting their houses or performing minor household repairs before a guest arrives. In fact, most homes are probably in their best shape when company is expected!
We usually want our visitors to feel at home the moment they walk in the door. In John 14, Jesus reveals that He is making preparations for us in His Father's house-- heaven. Can you imagine that? Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Universe, is going out of His way to prepare a special place in heaven just for you.
He probably has the furniture in place, the pictures straightened, and the table set, all waiting for you. He's excited about your arrival! What will heaven be like? The truth is, we'll never truly know until we get there. However, you can be sure it's an actual place. Remember, Jesus likened it to a "house." He said He was going to "make preparations." Does that sound like some cloudy, ethereal, formless existence? No!
According to the Lord, heaven is an actual destination, someplace where you'll experience the absolute best of everything. And since Jesus Christ is preparing it for you, you can trust that it will be perfect. He can do nothing less.
Book: My Utmost For His Highest
by Oswald Chambers
His!
They were Yours, You gave them to Me . . .
John 17:6
A missionary is someone in whom the Holy Spirit has brought about this realization: "You are not your own" ( 1 Corinthians 6:19 ). To say, "I am not my own," is to have reached a high point in my spiritual stature. The true nature of that life in actual everyday confusion is evidenced by the deliberate giving up of myself to another Person through a sovereign decision, and that Person is Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit interprets and explains the nature of Jesus to me to make me one with my Lord, not that I might simply become a trophy for His showcase. Our Lord never sent any of His disciples out on the basis of what He had done for them. It was not until after the resurrection, when the disciples had perceived through the power of the Holy Spirit who Jesus really was, that He said, "Go" (Matthew 28:19; also see Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8 ).
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple" ( Luke 14:26 ). He was not saying that this person cannot be good and upright, but that he cannot be someone over whom Jesus can write the word Mine. Any one of the relationships our Lord mentions in this verse can compete with our relationship with Him. I may prefer to belong to my mother, or to my wife, or to myself, but if that is the case, then, Jesus said, "[You] cannot be My disciple." This does not mean that I will not be saved, but it does mean that I cannot be entirely His.
Our Lord makes His disciple His very own possession, becoming responsible for him. ". . . you shall be witnesses to Me . . ." ( Acts 1:8 ). The desire that comes into a disciple is not one of doing anything for Jesus, but of being a perfect delight to Him. The missionary’s secret is truly being able to say, "I am His, and He is accomplishing His work and His purposes through me."
