John 14:1-4

Just Believe!

John 14:1-4

14 “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.”

believe (Gk. pisteuō) (1:7, 12; 2:23, 24; 3:15, 16, 36; 4:39, 41, 42; 6:47; 11:25; 14:1; 20:31) Strong’s #4100: The Greek word for believe literally means “to place one’s trust in another”; it occurs over 90 times in the Gospel of John alone. To believe in Jesus is to believe in His person and to trust in Him completely for salvation (3:15, 16). Many of Jesus’ contemporaries believed in Jesus’ miraculous powers, but they would not believe in Jesus Himself (6:23–26). Others wanted to believe in a political Messiah, but would not believe in the One who suffered for their sins (Mark 15:32). But we must be careful to believe and trust in the Jesus presented in the Scriptures, in the Son of God who sacrificed His life for our sins (Gal. 1:3, 4; Phil. 2:5–8).

Jesus reiterates to His disciples that faith in Him alone will bring salvation. He uses another metaphorical “I am” statement—this time that He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Jesus is referring to the heavenly abode, where God the Father sits enthroned. Jesus had already declared God’s symbolic earthly dwelling, the temple, to be insignificant in comparison to God’s work through His new temple, Jesus. This and Jesus’ condemnation of the conduct of the earthly keepers of His “Father’s house” establish Jesus as a better, heavenly alternative. 

The Jerusalem temple was an earthly representation of God’s heavenly dwelling. When talking with David about the possible construction of the temple, God even calls it a “house for my name”. David later calls it a “house for the sanctuary”. Jesus’ imagery here would have been familiar to His disciples. Heaven is depicted as God’s throne and the earth as God’s footstool. This is symbolically represented in the temple as the cherubim wings being God’s throne (heaven) and the ark of the covenant being His footstool. There is room for many people in God’s kingdom and His heavenly abode, where those who accept Jesus dwell eternally. Jesus is the fulfillment of God dwelling among His people. Jesus is describing an event that will occur after His ascension to God’s heavenly abode. Consequently, this refers to His return to earth, not His resurrection. Faithlife Bible.

After announcing Judas’s betrayal, His own imminent departure, and Peter’s denial, Jesus told His disciples not to be troubled, but to trust Him.

Everybody has a longing for a permanent, secure place. Such places have already been set aside for all of God’s children. Peter may have failed Jesus, but Christ will not fail to return for Peter and for everyone else who has believed in Him. NKJ Bible.

Psalm 33:13 The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.

Psalm 33:14 From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth;

Isaiah 63:15 Look down from heaven, and see from Your habitation, holy and glorious. Where are Your zeal and Your strength, the yearning of Your heart and Your mercies toward me?Are they restrained?

Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

John 12:26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.