Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ³  “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 14:1-3.

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This Scripture is a follow-up to Jesus’ potentially troubling words in the prior chapter.  “Little children, I am with you a little while longer You will seek Me;  and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ ”  John 13:33.

Jesus did not want His disciples to be troubled, and so he assures them with this promise:  “that where I am, there you may be also.”  

We tend to focus on verse 2, and we focus on mansions, and we let our imaginations go wild, fueled on dreams of luxury.  But, I think the focus should be on verse 3.  The focus should be on Christ, and we should meditate on the supreme value of simply being in the presence of Christ.  A former Pastor exhorted us, his congregation:  “Seek Christ’s presence, not just His presents.”

We also tend to think too little of a belief in Christ.  We tend to be satisfied with a belief in the historical existence of Christ and that Christ is indeed our Savior.  We tend to be satisfied that Christ can save us from hell (protection) and give us heaven (presents). 

But, how much do we really value simply being in His presence?  If we were one of Christ’s disciples and heard those words (‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’), would it really trouble us?  How would it trouble us?  Would it simply trouble us that we might not get some perceived protection or presents?  Or, would it trouble us because we love Christ so much that we would be troubled just because we thought that we could no longer be in His presence?

I wish I could answer those questions the right way, but I must confess that I seek His protection and presents more than His presence.   

Others may be eager like Peter to claim:  “… I will lay down my life for You.”  John 13:47.  But, before they get too cocky, they should remember the rooster.

We need to go beyond a superficial belief to a deep belief in Christ that primarily seeks the supreme value of simply being in the presence of Christ.  We need to seek Christ’s presence when Christ’s protection and presents seem to disappear.  We need to seek Christ’s presence even though it means that we will be persecuted.

This is not just a matter of just trying harder, even though yes, we should try harder.  We really need God’s grace to have the faith and the love that we should for Christ.

But, there is hope! 

Here is what Paul said at a time when he claimed, like some of us, that he acted “ignorantly in unbelief” and that he was not only just a sinner but “foremost of all” sinners. 

Paul said at that time of confession:  “and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.”  1 Timothy 1:14.  The faith and the love that we need are in Christ, and this grace is more than abundant!  Praise God!!!