There is something enchanting about the prospect of owning a house that I haven’t quite been able to put my finger on. Every Ghanaian knows what I’m taking about. One of the major signs of a successful life in Ghana is being able to own your own house; and if you own multiple, you have earned your place among the angels and immortals in the eyes of the Ghanaian society. My godly mother, who is almost 70 years and retired, still dreams about owning her own house. I’m certain that if you were to ask her, one of her greatest fears would be passing away without having owned her own home. That would signify a life that didn’t live up to her expectations of success.
A home offers both security and comfort, which are two of the most essential and highly coveted necessities of life. It doesn’t matter how a person’s day has been, if they could come back to their own house, that would mean security and comfort. At least for a short period of time they would be protected from the storms and winds of life. I’m confident Jesus understood this and I firmly believe it is within that context he spoke to his disciples, in John 14:1–3, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. 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, that where I am you may be also.”
You Can’t Out-give God
Obviously, Jesus was not talking about brick and mortar here, instead, he was speaking about what a house truly signifies; security, protection and comfort. As his time on earth drew to a close, he was preparing to leave behind his beloved disciples whom he cherished deeply. But he didn’t want to leave them without hope, and so he assures them that he is not hanging them out to dry; he will definitely come back for them after he has prepared rooms for them in his Father’s house.
At one point, Peter asked him, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” Indirectly implying the question, “what would we get for leaving everything to follow you?” To which Jesus replied, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life” (Luke 18:29-30). I am sure, many of us have sacrificed a lot to follow Jesus. Some have literally let go of family, property, career and reputation to follow him. His promise is that, he will repay you in folds of hundred in the world to come, because no one has the ability to out-give God. Jesus is gone to prepare a place for you in his Father’s house; when he is done, he will come and take you to himself.
Don’t Fall for a Counterfeit Promise
As we wait for his return, Jesus reminds us not to be deceived because, “[He] is the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through [him].” We often use this verse in our apologetic and evangelistic discussions with people of other faiths to let them know that Christianity is the only path to God. While there is nothing inherently incorrect with using it that way, it’s worth noting that upon closer examination of the context, it becomes evident that Jesus was not primarily delivering an apologetics response.
He had just told the disciples that he was going to the Father to prepare a place for them, to which Thomas, one of the twelve said, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Thomas wanted to know the way to that promised house, to which Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” There is something profound and complete about Jesus’ response. He is the way, the content and the telos or end of all that we seek in this life. For the Christian, Jesus is the journey, the destination and the prize. Later on in the chapter, Philip, another disciple said to him, “show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” To which Jesus replied, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”
Philip obviously thought there is something else, but Jesus reminded him, I am everything you’re looking for. If you’re looking for something else other than Jesus, it means you don’t know what true value is. It is like the man Jesus describes in the Matthew 13:44 parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Stated differently, if you’re looking forward to something else in heaven more than Jesus; then heaven will not excite you. Because if you have Jesus, you already have heaven’s greatest gift.
The point is this, as we eagerly anticipate the return of Christ and his promise, many false prophets would come who would try to show us alternative routes (some of them shortcuts) to obtaining what has been promised. Some would even try to sell us a different promise all together and others would offer an alternative version of life itself. But Jesus reminds us that he is the “way, the truth and the life.” We must not settle for anything less than Jesus.
Unfortunately, the materialistic outlook of our society provides breeding ground for these false prophets and apostles. Our inordinate desire for the seemingly good things of life, such as owning your own house could become an altar of worship. Take heart and find comfort, even if you don’t possess a house, a car, or any of the material possessions society deems valuable. Jesus has promised that he is gone to prepare a place for us in his Father’s house, and when the time comes, he will return to take us with him, so that we can be where he is.
Until then, let’s proclaim together with Moses, the great leader of the Israelites, who didn’t even enter the Promised Land let alone own a house, that, “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:1-2)
