Many Rooms
My Aunt Sandy is 80 years old, and was recently diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. This would be terrible news, if it hadn’t prompted something WONDERFUL. After a life lived for herself and the world, my aunt has just recently surrendered her life to the Lord! She is currently alone in a rehab facility and I wanted to reach out to encourage her in her newfound faith. After I wrote the text, I realized perhaps, it would encourage you as well. So read on, and be encouraged!
Tuesday, September 6th
Good Afternoon Aunt Sandy! I know you may not be able to read this, so I was hoping that you would ask someone to read it for you. There is no need to respond, I just wanted you to hear from a familiar voice. We haven’t talked often in the past, but that is not a problem really, you know why? Because though we treasure the time here on earth, family and friends and all that it is, it disappears in a blink of an eye and what we have to look forward to is FOREVER!
That is why I am writing you. As my mom has shared the fantastic news that though our time together here on this earth is short, we will be spending eternity together. That is fantastic!!! Praise God that you have put your trust in HIM, Jesus. Praise God that you know He has forgiven you. You have received the most excellent gift of being with Him forever (and me too!).
Just this past weekend, I was reading John 14. It is a great passage because Jesus knows that his days on earth are numbered. He knows that he will soon be dying and he is trying to explain this to his disciples. His disciples are really having a hard time hearing his words and understanding what he is saying. I can imagine how disheartening this is and how discouraged it must be to hear that the one you love is going to be leaving soon. In John 14:1, Jesus tells them, “Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
“Let not your heart be troubled” of course they were troubled! They were hearing that the one they love and served for so long was going away and they couldn’t follow him or go where he was going unless they believed in Him. And, he is telling us the same thing. He is telling us, “the peace that I (Jesus) give is not dependent on circumstances or on anything that we can do.” The peace that Jesus gives is dependent on our belief in Him.
And then in verse 2, he tells them even more. As if the gifts keep on going.. He says, “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” In our Father’s house is many mansions! We can't picture a huge two-million-dollar home in the sky, because the word Mansion here is not that. It is, however, even better, because it is forever. The word mansion is also translated into ‘many rooms’. This word means abode, a dwelling place and it is forever. There is room enough for everyone. There is a permanent place of peace where we can live and love the one who created us. Jesus has gone to prepare this place, not just for his disciples or for the ones who knew him while he was here on earth, but for you and for me. It is not for those who are perfect or who have followed him for many years. It is for those who believe.
We do not know when we will join the Father. We do not know the time or day of His return or of our death, but we do know what He has promised us. He will never leave us, and He has gone to prepare a place for us. The Father is waiting for us with open arms. So, as Jesus said: Aunt Sandy, “Let not your heart be troubled”. Do not let anxiety get stirred up and cause you fear or concern, believe in the one who brings peace and take comfort in knowing that you will be with Him forever…forever is far more than we can imagine. I look forward to that with you! Love you so much!
With Jesus’ Love,
Meghan