The passage from which this phrase is taken from is one of the most familiar verses from John. In fact, it is likely only John 3:16 would exceed it in quotation and remembrance. The remainder of that passage continues “… ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; and if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again and will receive you unto myself that where I am there ye may be, also” (John 14:1-3).

These words from Jesus were spoken to His apostles that fateful night He was betrayed. It had been a memorial night, although in some respects, a very painful one. Jesus had eaten the Passover supper with the twelve. When it was concluded He astonished them all by arising from the table, taking a bowl of water, and washing the feet of each of them. After Peter’s adamant protest “thou shalt never wash my feet” and Jesus’ rebuke of him, Jesus revealed a traitor was in their midst whom He subsequently identified and dismissed (John 13:21).

When Judas left them, Jesus spoke of His being glorified and saying to His disciples what He earlier had said to the unbelieving Jews: “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say unto you” (John 13:33). Peter asked, “Where are you going” to which Jesus said, “Where I go, thou cannot follow me now, but thou wilt follow me afterward” (13:36). Of course, Peter believed otherwise. He said, “I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus told him that the cock would not crow that night before Peter had three times denied him (John 13:38).

No doubt all these things combined not only disturbed and distressed Peter, but all the other of the disciples as well. To sooth their distress Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Ye believe in God, believe also in me.” Jesus urged them to have faith in His Word. We can find comfort in Jesus’ words if we believe in Him. Yet, it is a real test of faith to believe in troublesome times when there is no visible evidence of the truth He speaks. Rather, all the visible evidence seems to point to the contrary. It surely must have been to these eleven. They were about to witness His betrayal, trial, and crucifixion. He would be killed and would offer no resistance to prevent it. How could He come back to life again? In times in our lives when we are drowned (or so it seems) in sorrow by sickness or the loss of a loved one, how can our loved one come back again, despite Jesus’ promise otherwise? When we personally face, “It is appointed unto man once to die, and after this the judgment,” unbelieving men despair of hope.

Yes, Jesus did say, “In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you.” To the believer, these are wondrous, comforting words. But there is no comfort at all to him who does not believe Him. Jesus knew what His disciples were thinking. He knows what we think as well. He provided a reason so that both His disciples and we can believe. Before that fateful, sorrowful night had ended Jesus assured His disciples, “A little while and ye behold me not and a little while and ye shall see me again” (John 16:16-17). The disciples didn’t understand but He said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye shall weep and lament; but the world shall rejoice; ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned to joy” (v. 20).

And so it was. The soldiers crucified Him, and He suffered, then died. He had “gone away.” The world did rejoice. But then came the third day. The grave could not hold Him. His first sign to His nation was “destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). And so it was. David had written, “Thou wilt not leave my soul in Hades, neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption” (Psalm 16:10). David uttered two specific prophecies in that Scripture: Jesus’ spirit would not remain in Hades; His body would not see corruption. The third day angels descended from heaven and rolled away the stone from His tomb. He came to life again. His body did not see corruption. Jesus kept His Word.

That very day Jesus appeared to His disciples. Their sorrow turned into joy! Then, for forty additional days He appeared to them again and again. He ate with them. They touched Him. He continued to instruct them. They personally watched as angels escorted Him back to the Father from whom He had come. Jesus had done what He said He would do. It was enough. So convinced were these eleven that one by one they faced death with confidence.

If these men could face their own death — for some of them (tradition says all of them) — a martyr’s death, with such bold assurance, what greater evidence could we have (aside from personally witnessing Him) that Jesus will keep His word? After all, His words to them are His words to us! We can indeed find comfort in His words: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Ye 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, I will come again and receive ye unto myself that where I am, there ye may also be.”

Jim McDonald