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 14:3 NAS95)
Jesus carries a perspective the disciples did not in the last hours of His life. Who knows what feelings roamed the heart of Jesus, other than deep, resident and permanent love for those with Him. Mix in a bit of grief and the understanding of the loss and bewilderment Jesus knew the disciples would enter upon His death, and then these words deepen their meaning of the longing of God. Jesus spent the last three years in deep intimacy and interaction with the people with Him now in His last hours. He is with them and wants, desires for that "withness" to continue forever. This "withness" has such significance that He spends much time sharing how His interaction with His disciples, and those who believe in Him through them, will continue after His crucifixion.
I am astounded at the love of God through Jesus. He's just about to go through the most painful moments of His life, and yet He continues to express concern, empathy, and sympathy for those He loves. Jesus knows He has a future and He wants to include in that future those who trust Him, who believe and long for that same interaction with Him. He wants to assure them of enduring love and relationship. "Withness" appears as the main point, and it echoes back to creation and God's desire for man to live life in relationship with Him. In fact, the gospel of the Kingdom focuses on the nearness and availability of God for those who believe Jesus. He just emphasizes this before His departure to ensure His love would never depart nor His presence. He wanted the disciples to know this continued interaction with Him would come to fullness with His return. He also hoped it would inspire them to wildly share the gospel of the Kingdom, a dynamic, loving relationship with Jesus the King, with everyone they met.
For Reflection:
“For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield.” (Psalms 5:12 NAS95)
- How do you experience Jesus’ “withness” with you? In what ways does He most often engage with you?
- What would it be like for you to notice the God-promptings that come your way during the day? When you do notice, what interaction with Him does it spark?
