ST. JOHN 14-1-4

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2007

IS THERE ENOUGH ROOM IN THE HOUSE FOR ME?

1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 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. 3 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. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know." St. John 14:1-4 (NKJV)

I believe that these verses, continuing through verse 6, are probably read at Funeral Services more than any other with the exception of the 23rd Psalm. At the time of the death of a Loved One, the importance of Jesus going to prepare a place for us, then the doubts of Thomas, followed by the assurance of Jesus, is most comforting and meaningful. It is this passage that is a good example of why I choose to use the King James Version or the New King James Version of the Bible. As you meditate on these verses in this devotion, think on these words, "In My Father’s house are many mansions." When we read this passage, we tend to slide by these words to get to the importance of Jesus preparing a place for us, the doubts that we and Thomas have, and the assurance of Jesus.

Meditate for a moment on "a house with many mansions." Some versions read, "a house with many rooms." As you think about these two wordings what do you see? In my mind, a house with many rooms would be a house with maybe 15 to 20 rooms, while a house with many mansions would be a house that would be made up of connected mansions, each containing hundreds of rooms. The number of mansions that make up the house is unlimited.

Now picture in your mind driving up a lane as you are seeking to check into God’s House. In one version, you make that last turn in the drive and see the Gateway Sign that reads, God’s House." Beyond the sign you see this large house that must have 15 - 20 rooms or more. You hesitantly drive into the parking lot, wondering if all the rooms are taken or if there is room for you. In the King James Version, you drive up the lane and see beyond the sign an entrance to God’s House. But what a house it is. Connected to the registration area are towering mansions stretching in every direction as far as you can see with each mansion containing several hundred rooms. Now, with confidence, you drive in, park and say to yourself there is plenty of room here for me.

That is what I want to read about -- God’s house with many mansions -- because I know there is room for me. Just one word of warning. As huge and spacious as these many mansions are, there is not unlimited space. There is only space for those who have the map and know how to get there. Remember that in St. John 14:6, "Jesus said to him (Thomas), "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Hold on to that map. Don’t let Satan take it away from you. Make sure that your relatives, friends and others also have the map and know the way. Is there enough room in the house for me? YES, if I turn daily to Jesus and ......

PRAY - Lord, show me the way. AMEN

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

Take a few moments each day to close your eyes and allow visions of what you think heaven will be like. Then use your Study Bible or Concordance to see if God’s Word and your dreams are in harmony. My guess is that God’s Word will reveal to you a Heaven that is far greater than you can ever imagine.