Many Mansions

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.

John 14:2

Heaven is a home which is permanent. One of the unfortunate facts about the houses men build for themselves is that they are not permanent. Houses do not last forever. It is true of the house, the outer shell, and it is true of the family. How quickly the children grow up and leave home.

As much as our homes mean to us, they are not permanent. Sometimes I look at my own adult children and can hardly believe that they are all grown and on their own. The house that once rang with the laughter of children is now empty.

Those who for Christ’s sake had given up houses and lands and loved ones knew little of home life or home joys. It was as if Jesus had said to them, “We have no lasting home here on earth, but my Father’s house is a home where we will be together for all eternity.”

The venerable Bishop Ryle is reputed to have said, “Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people, and they that enter shall find that they are neither unknown or unexpected.”

Our Father and our God, this world is not my home, for I know it is a fleeting place. I look forward to my home with You. I long to be there now, but I know You have work for me to do here until that appointed day. Help me to work and wait patiently, Lord, just as Jesus did. In His name I pray. Amen.

Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).