4/4 Through the Bible in Devotions

John 14

“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.” (v. 2)

Many times I have found comfort in this verse, and mused over the wonderful fact that Heaven is now my home, and I thank God that it is. However, one day as I was reading this passage, it hit me that perhaps Jesus isn’t referring to going to prepare a mansion for us, as we most often suppose. I now believe that the verse refers to Calvary, and the fact that, by His death and resurrection, He prepares a place for all of us. Verse 3 seems to bear this out, that where He is, there we will be also. I think He was talking about making a way for us to go to Heaven. Let’s see some evidence as to why this seems to be:

First, what would the Lord of lords have to do to “prepare” something for us? He spoke the world into existence, and could easily have done so in this case. It definitely would not have been an effort, as we think of preparation to be.
Secondly, the mansions are already there! He said “In my Fathers house are many mansions…” as in present tense. Heaven is an eternal place, without beginning or end, and it does not need to be “built” for us, nor improved on in any way. Yes, the mansions are waiting for us already.

Thirdly, Jesus would not have to “go” to prepare a place, but could do it from wherever He chose to do so. Again, He merely need speak it, and it is done, whether in His actual presence or some place far away. Nothing is impossible with God. Jesus did need to “go” to Calvary though, as there was no other way to redeem mankind, but that His blood should be shed, the Innocent One for the guilty multitudes.

Yes, He has prepared a place for all of us, a place called Heaven. Oh, it’s been there for eternity, and needs no preparation, but the “way” needed to be prepared, to make it available to all mankind. The place is furnished through the “way” and Jesus is the Way (v. 6). He is the way to eternal life, the way to Heaven. Jesus is the only way. Whenever you read this passage, think of Calvary, where a way has been prepared, a place has been provided for us, and a Person has been our sacrifice.