The Hope of Home
Jeannie Yates
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:3
I grew up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in the heart of the Willamette Valley just one hour from either majestic mountains or the scenic ocean. My grandparent’s house overlooked that beautiful ocean and we were fortunate enough to visit often. Just thinking about it brings to mind the smell of salty, ocean air mixed with the aroma of freshly baked cookies. Sometimes, I still find myself homesick, even after 19 years of living in Michigan. I am even tearing up as I write this with a longing for “home.”
My parents now live in Idaho, and although I never had a permanent residence in Idaho, it now feels like home. All this time, I thought I was homesick for the place, for Oregon; but in reality, I was homesick for my people. The advancements in technology are so amazing and I am extremely grateful for Facetime calls with my mom and dad, but nothing beats being with them in person. Nothing can compare to the comfortable silence, casual conversation, a fresh cup of coffee, and the real-life hug that is found only at home.
We have just seen the disciples go on quite the emotional rollercoaster from Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the prediction of betrayal. I can only imagine the upheaval and confusion they must have been experiencing. That is where we start in this 14th chapter of John. The hope of “home” is what Jesus is promising to His disciples here in John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
I remember trying to leave my girls in the nursery when they were going through the separation anxiety phase and attempting to calm their little hearts with promises of my return. “I will be back soon. Don’t worry. After this, we will go home and have lunch together.” Jesus is speaking straight to the separation anxiety of the disciples’ hearts. He gently reminds them not to worry (John 14:1), not only will He go prepare a place, not only will He return, but He will take you to be with Him. In his commentary of the book of John, R. Kent Hughes says, “In our fallen world, we can gain relief for our troubled hearts from the fact that Jesus is going to take us to be personally with Him. Not just the place, but the person, Jesus, is going to be ours.”
The disciples heard this precious promise from their Rabbi that not only would He prepare a place for them, but He would, once again, be with them. They would have a true home with Him. We can have a true home with Him. So, when we look at the unsettling events happening in our world and we begin to get anxious and homesick for Heaven, we can remember that we have the hope of “home” in Jesus.
“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us.” Hebrews 6:19-20 (NLT)
Jeannie Yates
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:3
I grew up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in the heart of the Willamette Valley just one hour from either majestic mountains or the scenic ocean. My grandparent’s house overlooked that beautiful ocean and we were fortunate enough to visit often. Just thinking about it brings to mind the smell of salty, ocean air mixed with the aroma of freshly baked cookies. Sometimes, I still find myself homesick, even after 19 years of living in Michigan. I am even tearing up as I write this with a longing for “home.”
My parents now live in Idaho, and although I never had a permanent residence in Idaho, it now feels like home. All this time, I thought I was homesick for the place, for Oregon; but in reality, I was homesick for my people. The advancements in technology are so amazing and I am extremely grateful for Facetime calls with my mom and dad, but nothing beats being with them in person. Nothing can compare to the comfortable silence, casual conversation, a fresh cup of coffee, and the real-life hug that is found only at home.
We have just seen the disciples go on quite the emotional rollercoaster from Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the prediction of betrayal. I can only imagine the upheaval and confusion they must have been experiencing. That is where we start in this 14th chapter of John. The hope of “home” is what Jesus is promising to His disciples here in John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
I remember trying to leave my girls in the nursery when they were going through the separation anxiety phase and attempting to calm their little hearts with promises of my return. “I will be back soon. Don’t worry. After this, we will go home and have lunch together.” Jesus is speaking straight to the separation anxiety of the disciples’ hearts. He gently reminds them not to worry (John 14:1), not only will He go prepare a place, not only will He return, but He will take you to be with Him. In his commentary of the book of John, R. Kent Hughes says, “In our fallen world, we can gain relief for our troubled hearts from the fact that Jesus is going to take us to be personally with Him. Not just the place, but the person, Jesus, is going to be ours.”
The disciples heard this precious promise from their Rabbi that not only would He prepare a place for them, but He would, once again, be with them. They would have a true home with Him. We can have a true home with Him. So, when we look at the unsettling events happening in our world and we begin to get anxious and homesick for Heaven, we can remember that we have the hope of “home” in Jesus.
“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us.” Hebrews 6:19-20 (NLT)
Posted in Upper Room
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