Jesus has a place for you!
Worship in May begins with one of my favorite promises Jesus' makes. It is from John's gospel. Jesus is speaking with his disciples on his final night with them. He knows the days ahead will be difficult. So he gives them these words of promise to help them understand that Jesus has a purpose for what is to come: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also."
Jesus promises that we will always have a place in God's house! Jesus further promises that it is not up to us to find our way there, but he will lead us into God's presence. Jesus will always be with us, no matter what!
I have often used these promises when I am preaching at a funeral. I trust that Jesus' promise of "dwelling places" in God's house is a clear promise that there is a place for us in heaven with God once we die. Jesus went to the cross and death ahead of us, and was resurrected before us, in order to lead us through death and into eternal life with God.
However, there is an additional meaning in Jesus' words, one that I find complements and reinforces the promise that one day we will live again with Jesus in heaven. Jesus' promise of a dwelling place can be applied just as well to the church, God's home on earth. The church is the body of Christ. The church is a place for all of us to dwell during our lifetimes - a place where we meet the risen Jesus each week in worship, in the sacraments, and in the community of one another. The church has not always done the best job of being a welcoming dwelling place for all people, but I believe that is Jesus' purpose for it. This is Jesus' church, and he has created a place for you! At Midvale, we seek to live out this promise of Jesus. There is a dwelling place for each of us! Here, now in our church, our worship, our faith community, and one day in heaven forever. Join us, and dwell with Jesus who has already made a place for you.
