Jesus' Construction Project

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
John 14:1-3 (NIV)

Arise and shine, dear one! God is with you!

While out on my usual walk, I noticed something strange hanging from a small tree. It appeared to be fishing line with a round assortment of twigs woven together. I reached out and spun the object around to discover an empty bird's nest! That was one creative bird who strategically used whatever materials she could find to prepare a safe home for her babies.

As I thought about that nest the mother bird so carefully prepared, my mind went to these verses in John 14 when Jesus comforts His disciples about the home He's preparing in Heaven. To truly understand Jesus' promise, it’s helpful to picture what His disciples would have understood from their culture.

“In Jesus’ world 2,000 years ago, there were some standard Jewish betrothal and marriage customs. When a son became betrothed, he and his father would begin building a room onto the father’s house, extending the father’s house so that after the son married his bride, the new couple could move in, start their family, and increase the clan.” Feasting on God’s Word by Kristi McLelland (pg. 73)

Just like that creative bird using fishing line and twigs, Jesus is preparing something beautiful for us. He later reassures His disciples in verse 27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

What's troubling your heart today, dear one? Jesus, your Prince of Peace, is preparing a place specifically for you. We can trust that Jesus will one day return for His bride to bring us home to His Father's house! Are you ready for His return?