Reflection:
John 14:2 has got to be one of my favourite verses in the Bible, and I fear it’s so often misread. In this passage, Jesus is in the countdown to his crucifixion, and he knows it. From John 13:31, through to the Garden of Gethsemane in chapter 17, he uses different methods to explain his own position as the Son of God, as well as the coming of the Holy Spirit. There is something really important here that he needs his disciples to understand before he leaves.
But what is the Father’s house? Jesus tells us, explicitly, in other passages.
To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” John 2:16 (NIV)
“Why were you searching for Me?” He asked them. “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” Luke 2:49 (NIV)
In both of the above references, it’s abundantly clear that his Father’s house is the temple, but more importantly, the dwelling place of God. But how many rooms in the temple does God dwell? Only one; the Holy of Holies. Yet Jesus is telling his disciples that there are many rooms, then goes on to justify his claim, as though the disciples responded with confused silence.
If we take this passage in context, we know Jesus is gearing the disciples up to understand what’s coming next: the Holy Spirit. No more will God personally dwell only in one room; no more is God’s presence only accessible by one High Priest each year. Jesus has prepared a room for each of us, to enter into Priesthood, for God to abide within us. Jesus’ death and resurrection marked the beginning of a new era: a global gospel, accessible by anyone, anywhere — the Good News!
Just to drive this point home a little further, Jesus uses an intentional word switcheroo, in John 2:19, his next sentence after he mentions his Father’s house. He says: “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days”. His Father’s house was the temple, but the temple was his body because the Father dwelled in him.
John 14:2 is one of my favourites, because it so concisely sums up the good news of the gospel and the purpose for Jesus’ death and resurrection in such a succinct way … assuming you know the context.
And now, Jesus has gone to the Father to prepare a place for you — and your neighbour. Let’s work together to make sure they know about it.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus. Thank you for your great love. I want to honour you and your works through the works of my life, and I am sorry for the times I have failed. I commit this day to you, please prompt me to be continually thankful to you in everything today.