Introduction

I want to acknowledge the pain and grief you are feeling today. I won't try to convince you that everything is alright because it's not, and you know it. It hurts, and we understand that this pain will last for a long time. God created us to have relationships with one another, and when we lose someone we love, it causes immense pain. You have lost a loved one, and it hurts.

Thoughts of Comfort

However, I would like to offer some words of comfort today. They come from John 14:1-6, where Jesus says:

"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. You know the way to the place where I am going."

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

From this passage of scripture, I find three thoughts of comfort.

The first is that peace is promised. Jesus says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." I understand that today is a day of sadness, grief, and mourning. Yet, even in the midst of this pain, you can find peace. How? By having faith and believing in God. We believe that even in the darkest times, even when facing death, we can experience a peace that surpasses all understanding because we know that God is with us. As the 23rd Psalm says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me." God is present, and if we trust in Him, He will grant us His perfect peace.

The second thought of comfort is that God has prepared a place for us. Jesus says, "I am going there to prepare a place for you." Just as God created the heavens and the earth in six days, Jesus has been preparing a place for us for two thousand years. Imagine how incredible that place must be! It is described as "The Father's house" with many rooms. There is a room for your loved one, a room for you, and a room for me. Isn't that a comforting thought? God has prepared a place for us.

The next thought of comfort is that God has provided a way for us to reach that place. Many people desire to go to heaven, but they don't know the way. Jesus tells us in John 14, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Life is like a journey, with many detours and side streets. But we don't need to be confused or lost. All we need to do is follow Jesus. He will show us the way because He is the way. He will lead and guide us. That's comforting.

Conclusion

There is a song we sometimes sing in church that is based on John 14. It goes like this:

"I've got a mansion just over the hilltop,

In that bright land where we'll never grow old.

And someday yonder, we'll never more wonder,

But walk the streets of purest gold."

Can you see that mansion? It's just over the hilltop. The lights are on, and the door is open. A meal is prepared, and there are friends waiting for us. It's a place of comfort and peace.

In conclusion, I want to assure you that even in the midst of your grief, there is hope and comfort to be found. God promises us peace, has prepared a place for us, and has provided a way for us to reach that place. May these thoughts bring you comfort and strength during this difficult time.

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