Comfort under separation.
There is no break between this chapter and the preceding.
I. MARK OUR LORD'S SYMPATHY WITH HIS DISCIPLES. "Let not your heart be troubled."
1. The best of God's people may be at times in a desponding and distrustful mood.
2. Jesus takes delight in comforting his saints and lightening the burden of a heavy heart. "Come unto me, and I will give you rest."
II. MARK THE REMEDY FOR THE DESPONDENT MOOD OF HIS DISCIPLES. "Believe in God, believe also in me." It is faith. Jesus invites them to confidence.
1. There must be faith in God, who has provided a home for his children on high. There is great comfort in the thought of the Fatherhood of God.
2. There must be faith in Christ, who, as the Mediator, will realize what the Father has promised.
III. THE ARGUMENTS FOR CONSOLATION.
1. The existence of heaven as the home of the saints. "In my Father's house are many mansions."
(a) This does not signify that there are different degrees of happiness in heaven,
(b) but that there is room in heaven for the whole family of God.
(a) This implies that Jesus will go first to heaven.
(b) He enters within the veil as "Forerunner." What strong consolation is in this blessed truth!
2. Another argument for consolation is the promise of Christ's return to receive his disciples. "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and I will receive you to myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
(a) at Pentecost,
(b) nor at conversion,
(c) nor at the day of judgment,
(d) but at the death of each disciple.
(a) Heaven is wherever Christ is; therefore "to depart and be with Christ is far better."
(b) Christ will be the Center of the believer's joys.
3. Another argument for consolation is that the disciples knew the way to heaven. "And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."