The Christian's Hope

I am looking forward to that wonderful residence that Jesus has waiting for us in Heaven. Jesus also tells us in verse 1 that:

III. WE HAVE THE HOPE OF REDEMPTION - v2b I go to prepare a place for you.

This is one of the most popular passages of scripture in the Bible, but it is also one of the most misunderstood. Jesus was not telling His followers that He was going to "build them a mansion". He just asserted the fact that the mansions are already there. - "In my Father's house ARE many mansions" - We are also told in scripture that when Jesus ascended, He SAT DOWN in His rightful place at the right hand of the Father. Hebrews 1:3 ...when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

When Jesus said "I go to prepare a place" He was saying I am going to make a way for you, He was referencing the Cross. Our entrance into Heaven was secured by Christ on the Cross at Calvary. He was telling His disciples that HE was going to do what we could not do. Jesus went to Calvary, shed His blood and gave His life as a sacrifice for you and I. Because of His finished work there on the Cross we have the hope of redemption. Without redemption we would not have hope of that residence or refuge that we have already considered.

- Also seen in this verse is the fact that:

IV. WE HAVE THE HOPE OF A RELATIONSHIP - v3a And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again,

This is a very personal promise. Jesus was saying "what I am about to do, I am doing for you". What He did for Peter, James, John, Andrew, Matthew and the others... HE DID FOR YOU!

- Luke 19:10 Jesus said in Luke 19:10 that He came "to seek and to save that which was lost".

- Romans 5:8 also tells us that "God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us".

Because of Jesus' work on the Cross we have the blessed privilege of having a personal relationship with Almighty God. And we don't have to wait for Heaven for this to occur. You can have a personal relationship with Jesus HERE and NOW! Those that have this relationship will tell you that there is nothing any sweeter than communing with the Savior of the World!

- We are also promised that there is coming a day when Jesus will return for His own. This means that:

V. WE HAVE THE HOPE OF A RETURN - v3a And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again,

Jesus told His Disciples that though He may go away for a time, HE WILL COME AGAIN. Jesus has ascended.... He is in Heaven as we speak. But soon and very soon He will split the eastern sky and come for His Children. This is one of the most prominent promises in the Bible. - 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.