Key Verse: John 14:2 “I go to prepare a place for you.”

The death of a loved one always catches us off guard. We may have known for months that the tumour was malignant and our loved one was living with a six month sentence; but when the moment of death occurs, we’re not as ready for it as we thought.

The next few days are a flurry of activity — phone calls to relatives and friends, visits to the undertaker, visits from those same relatives and friends, family meetings, and finally the funeral itself. After the interment, there’s usually a social time, lots of tears, scores of pledges to keep in touch, “if there’s anything I can do, don’t hesitate to call”, and then the crunch. Walking into that empty room; seeing those clothes still hanging in the closet; expecting to see him/her in their favourite chair. But the worst thing for many is seeing that empty place at the breakfast table. They’re not there: they’ve left their place.

But, as far as God is concerned, they’ve taken their place. Our loss is heaven’s gain. Jesus said, “I’m going to prepare a place for you.”

“A place for you.” Isn’t that a wonderful thing! It affirms our individuality. It affirms God’s providence. It affirms Jesus’ power and purpose in and for our lives. It affirms hope.

Think back. So much of what you are today is the product of “places” you have occupied over the years. That bedroom. That treehouse. That cottage. That desk. Places that have imprinted your indelibly for a lifetime — positively and/or negatively.

What a joy to know there is one place none of us have seen yet; and it’s the most important place of all. We will bear its imprint for eternity. And Jesus is the designer and builder!

It’ll be a masterpiece!