by Richard Mansel

We cringe when we hear, "Sit down. I have some bad news for you." We steel our nerves for what is coming. All of us have suffered through hard times, some more cataclysmic than others. It is the most painful aspect of life. We must be able to deal with it in a healthy fashion. John 14:1-6 provides an avenue of comfort.

Jesus knew his death was imminent and sought to prepare his apostles. Jesus would be betrayed by one of their own, he would soon be crucified and all of them would be scattered. These men were in the midst of a storm and Jesus seeks to console them, as only he could. By studying Jesus' answer we can learn how to endure our suffering. If we are not a Christian, this lesson will hopefully illustrate what Christians have in Christ. It is a treasure worth pursuing.

First, Jesus is our peace. Jesus begins, "Let not your heart be troubled" (John 14:1, NKJV). Literally, it is "stop letting your heart be troubled." Hugo McCord translates it, "stop letting your heart be disturbed." We have power to decide whether we will be crushed by the storms of life or endure them. While storms batter us, we have more control than we imagine when they come our way. The Apostle Paul said that nothing can "separate us from the love of Christ" (Romans 8:39). The Psalmist wrote, "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8).

Second, Jesus is our security. Why should they not be troubled? Jesus says, "trust in God, trust also in me" (John 14:1, NIV). Westcott translates it, "Believe in God, and yet more than this, let your faith find in Me one on whom it can rest." Jesus knew they needed someone to be there for them to be a constant in the midst of confusion. The Lord is a "refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble" (Psalm 9:9).

Third, Jesus is our hope. Their fear needed reassurance that they would survive these storms. Hope is defined as the "expectation of future good."

Jesus then goes on to say, "In My Father's house are many mansions" (John 14:2). Even after his death, their best interest would reside strongly in his heart. He would provide a permanent residence for them. The meaning is not that there will be literal mansions in heaven but that there will be plenty of room for all of us. No one will have to be turned away because there is no room at the inn.

Jesus wanted them to believe him, wholeheartedly. Seeking to assure them, he says, "if it were not so, I would have told you" (John 14:2). He had never lied to them so his word should be a guarantee (Titus 1:2).

Fourth, Jesus is completeness. After he tells the apostles that he will prepare a home for them he says that they know the way to their new home. Thomas speaks for the others and asks how they can know the way? Jesus adds, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).

Jesus would not show them the way, he would come and get them and take them to his home. Isaiah 35:8 calls salvation the "Highway of Holiness." Scripture is the road map to heaven.

In Christ we can say, "O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" (2 Corinthians 15:55).