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"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. 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. (John 14:1-3)
I lucked out for my first entry because I recently read about it in a book by Rob Bell where he gave this exact verse a greater context which added so much more meaning for me. Jesus is speaking to his disciples and, according to Bell, they aren't hearing anything new in what he is saying. In the Jewish culture at this time, an engagement (betrothal) was initiated with the groom going to the bride's home and, among other things, giving a speech, which told her "In my father's house are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you with me that you also may be were I am." And that is exactly what he would do. He would go back to the home of his parents and build a room or rooms off of their house that would be his and his wife's new home. Then, when it was done, he would come for his bride and they would be married.
So when Jesus said this to the disciples, they totally recognized it as the "groom's speech." I don't know what this would have meant to a group of guys, and that's not the point of this blog - but I offer this additional information from Bell because of what it meant to me - I think more about the young woman of that day who was more than likely so consumed with wondering who she would marry, when, would he be a good man from a good family, etc... imagine her thoughts once the speech had been given and the offer accepted. Imagine the sense of worth, the sense of security. This isn't to argue about a woman's sense of worth or security coming from a man, that's not my point and if you think it is, you obviously don't know me well. But in that day, a woman was so much safer in a family, with the protection and care of a husband. This must have meant the world to a young woman, scared about her future. The change in her from before the betrothal must have been pronounced. No more worries - just lots and lots of joyful preparations and excited anticipation!
Once I think on this, the logical place to go is to realize Jesus is saying this to me. I am the bride and he is the one building a place for me. I wonder what my room will look like? I wonder who will have rooms next to mine? I wonder how much longer it will take for him to finish? I wonder what preparations I need to do? And... I wonder how in the world Jesus could love me so much to want me. Me.
And then I can't help but wonder why do I worry, where are my "joyful preparations" and why is trusting Him so darn hard?
I don't expect an answer... this is just me, being me - full of more questions than answers and more wonder than knowledge...
4 comments:
Great idea, Erin! I too get daily verses & tend to just breeze through them, and pass on to two close friends. This passage is an encouragement to "look up" and be blessed! My favorite quote is: "To look around is to be distressed; to look inward is to be depressed; to look up is to be blessed." Be blessed as you journey!
Great idea Erin! I hope I remember to check out your blog each day! This scripture was very encouraging and informative as I did not know about the Jewish customs and how you related it to us as women. The questions you have put out there are great questions to ponder and I would have (do have) the same ones. I also find it so hard to continue to trust in this time in my life and I would love for my "preparations" here while waiting for the Lord to be joyful! I am deffinitly going to receive this word from God and trust that he is preparing a place for ME and will come back for me when it's ready. Praise God!
I had never heard before that those words were used in that way in that culture. Very interesting. It makes a lot of sense, though, given that allegory which runs throughout both the Old and New Testaments of God/Jesus as a groom and Israel/the church as his bride.
Good luck with you blogging.
John 14 is a great chapter with a great promise not only of eternal life but also of the Holy Ghost which is received at the time of salvation to all those who place there trust and faith in Jesus Christ. Trusting can be hard at times particularly when facing a trial but it is that simple faith in Jesus Christ that helps us gain victory.
Charles Spurgeon, a great preacher from the late 1800's, summed up faith as comprising of three things; knowledge, belief and trust. Knowing who Jesus Christ is, believing who Jesus Chris is and most importantly trusting in Jesus Christ. Many have heard who Jesus is and many even believe that He is who He is but many fall short in trusting the gospel for the simplicity that it is. When one sits down in a chair do they examine all of its parts to make sure that it will hold them? Or do they just sit down with simple faith that it will hold them? Most people just sit without giving it a thought. That is simple faith. When trusting is hard hold fast to the simplicity of the gospel and Gods plan of salvation, then pray and read your bible and let the Comforter bring you peace. God is good and what a blessing it is to read your blog. God Bless!
Christian S.
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