“My father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

— John 14:2

There is nothing like a good homecoming. Perhaps you enjoyed one recently. Family members return home. Children, grandchildren, and other relations gather around, delighted to see each other and renew relationships. Or maybe a reunion brought together old friends who hadn’t seen each other in a long time. If you were making preparations, didn’t you scurry with anticipation—planning, preparing food, and making sure that accommodations were made and rooms were ready?

Jesus is preparing for us to come home. He loves us so much that he wants all of us to be there. In fact, the whole reason he came to live among us was so that we could later join him in our Father’s house.

He came to rescue us from the curse of sin and death so that we can enjoy new life with him forever. Then he went back to heaven when his work here was complete. And now in heaven he is preparing a place for us.

I can imagine the kind of place being prepared—with wonderful food, glorious music, delightful friends—and all in a context of perfect peace. Wow!

If you have welcomed Jesus into your life, he waits, smiling and with outstretched arms, to welcome you into his Father’s home.

Jesus, thank you for coming to live among us. We look forward to the amazing homecoming that awaits us in heaven, thanks to your finished work here on earth. Amen.