The seminary I attended was approximately 18 hours from my home. Going home for a weekend was unthinkable. Instead, I would drive five hours to my grandparents’ home. Whenever I arrived, my grandmother would have a room waiting for me and a nice comfortable bed in which I could sleep. She prepared a place just for me.

In John 14, Jesus shared with His disciples that He was going away to prepare a dwelling place for them (v. 3). He explained that while He was away, He would make arrangements for their arrival. Then He would return and take them back with Him (v. 3).

A Jewish marriage custom was for a son to attach an addition to his father’s house as a home for his family. Jesus was stating that He would return to take His disciples to His Father’s home where He would dwell with them forever.

Jesus gave some insight regarding the location. He told them, “You know the way to the place where I am going” (v. 4). Thomas, speaking on behalf of the disciples, said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (v. 5). Obviously, the place His disciples had in mind is a physical location on earth. While Thomas was asking about the latitude and longitude of this place, Jesus was speaking of heaven.

When we accept Jesus’ offer of salvation, we are included in this invitation to His Father’s home. Jesus answered Thomas, saying: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (v. 6).

>> This Christmas we rejoice that the baby who was born in a manger, because there was no place for Him in the inn, has provided a room for us in His Father’s estate. This heavenly home is open and waiting for all who have put their trust in Him. What a wonderful Christmas gift it would be to trust in Jesus as your Savior!

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