Day By Day By Grace
Bob Hoekstra
July 21, 2010
"Let not your heart be troubled; you 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. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and 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)
Jesus' promise to return for His followers was given to bring them
heavenly comfort. How comforting to us, in this troublesome world, to
know that Jesus will be back for all of us who have followed Him here
on earth.
When the Lord Jesus spoke these words, He would soon be leaving His
disciples. He knew that the cross, the resurrection, and His ascension
were close at hand. As He spoke of His departure, they were troubled.
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in
Me." One purpose in His leaving was to make ready a heavenly home for
those who believed in Him. "I go to prepare a place for you." Then, the
promise that followed brought Jesus' ultimate comfort. "I will come
again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be
also." Jesus would be returning to take His beloved followers to be
with Him again.
After His atoning death and victorious resurrection, the Lord
instructed the disciples for a brief season in the matters of His
kingdom. Then, it was time to depart. "Now when He had spoken these
things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him
out of their sight" (Acts 1:9). Their gaze remained upon this one whom
they had come to love. "They looked steadfastly toward heaven as He
went up" (Acts 1:10). Then, angelic messengers repeated the promise of
His return. "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven,
will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11).
What hope this must have stirred in their yearning hearts.
Throughout the history of the church, loving hearts have longed for the
return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostles were inspired by the
Spirit of God to bring us comforting promises of His return. "For the
Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of
an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will
rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus
we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is
the promised hope we are to live in day by day: "looking for the
blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus
Christ" (Titus 2:13).
Dear Lord Jesus, I find sweet comfort in Your promises to return for
me. I long to see You face to face. It is inexpressible joy to
anticipate being with You forever. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
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