Each time I lead a funeral service, I include a handful of passages from John 14. They are meant for us to feel comfort, understand the place of death, and reflect on what and where Jesus currently is. In John 14 are many of our favorite readings about Jesus and His love towards us. We learn of the Holy Spirit and get a little insight into why Jesus had to leave.

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? John 14:1-2

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

"I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:14-16

"If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. John 14:15-17

Jesus replied, "All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn't love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

"I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe. John 14:23-29

But has I have been reading this really familiar (to me) passages these last few weeks, I am beginning to see how these last words of Jesus are chock full of the very things He has been teaching and saying for the last three years (I put the big ones in bold in the reading above). Just as our hearts are troubled at those last moments of a loved one, the disciples hearts are troubled. And Jesus speaks to what the world will be like afterwards, just as some of our loved ones might do.

But the difference lies in how Jesus is leaving to eternally affect our world. And affect us. And the effect will truly be other-wordly