“Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
John 14: 1-3
Our 18-month-old grandson James has a favorite saying. His dad taught him to say to his mom, “BRB mom,” as they head outside to play. “BRB” is short for “be right back.” He gets it. He understands that, while he will not see his mom for an hour or so, he will see her again very soon.
Jesus could have used the term “BRB” when He met with His disciples, as recorded in John chapters 13 and 14. The time had come for his arrest, trial, conviction, crucifixion, resurrection, and return to heaven. He stated in John 13:33, “Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You shall seek Me, and as I said to the Jews, I now say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.'” In verse 36, “Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus answered, ‘Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you shall follow Me later.'”
The time had arrived for Jesus to be crucified alone for the sins of the world because he alone qualified. Their time to face death would come later. So will ours. That is, unless Jesus returns first. While no one knows the hour He will return (Matthew 24:36), it could be today, or any given day this year. Are you ready for His return? Are you excited? Are you watching?
Yes, it’s been over 2,000 years since Jesus made his promise to His disciples, and therefore to us. So how could He have meant, “I’ll be right back?”
Peter picked up on what Jesus meant in 2 Peter 3:8: “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” In other words, Jesus could have meant, “I’ll be back in a few days,” which is to us a few thousand years.
This could be the year, the month, or the day Jesus will return to receive us to Himself. For those of us who already know Jesus personally, let’s wake up every day looking, expecting, and excited, all the while persuading others to consider Jesus and His invitation to enter into a personal relationship with Him and receive eternal life now and forever! (2 Corinthians 5:11)
If you are not a believer and therefore not sure of your salvation, read and highlight the following verses in Romans: 3:23, 6:23, 5:8-9, 10:9-10, and 10:13. These verses read together are know as the “Roman Road to salvation.”
Ask your pastor, priest, or any follower of Christ to explain these verses to you. Ask them to pray with you and lead you to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. If no one is available, bow down in your heart and pray, “Father, I know I have sinned against You. Forgive me. I believe Jesus was born, crucified, buried, and raised again to pay my sin debt. I commit myself to You. Help me find the right church that is Christ-centered and teaches Your Word so I will grow and mature as Your disciple.”
Written by Bill Yancey