How to Pray Like an Apostle: 6 Characteristics of Effective Intercessory Prayer

Posted on July 4, 2021 by Wayne Davies

Can I ask you a personal question:

How’s your prayer life?

If you’re like me, perhaps you have good days and bad days – days when prayer comes easily and often, and days when prayer is a struggle.

I find comfort in Paul’s description of Epaphras: “He is always wrestling in prayer for you” (Colossians 4:12). It’s good to know that I’m not the only one for whom prayer can be like a wrestling match.

Intercessory prayer — praying for other people — can be the type of prayer that requires the most self-discipline. The Apostle Paul is a good example for help in this regard. And Philippians 1:3-11 is a great passage to study to learn how to pray for other believers.

6 Characteristics of Effective Intercessory Prayer

#1 – A Sincere Thankfulness
“I thank my God every time I remember you” (v. 3). This is a wonderful way to begin praying for another Christian – by expressing gratitude. Before we ask God to do anything for anyone, we simply offer a sincere “thank you” for this person. The next time you pray for someone, start by offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving. “Thank you, Lord, for my friend (or spouse or child or Pastor or whoever). Thank you that I have the privilege of knowing him (or her) and being in a relationship with him.”

#2 – A Genuine Joy
“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy” (v. 4). Paul got much pleasure from the Christian fellowship he had with believers. When he prayed for people, his heart was filled with gladness. Prayer was no easier for him than for us, yet he found reason to rejoice when he approached the throne of grace. When you pray for other believers, what brings a smile to your face as you think about the person you are praying for? Take time for communicate that joy and gladness to your heavenly Father. He would love to hear how someone He loves makes you happy!

#3 – A Shared Faith
“I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel” (v. 4-5). Here we find out why Paul experiences pleasure when he prays for other Christians – by praying for them, he is reminded of their faith in Christ, and this is the source of his gratitude and joy. These people came to Christ through Paul’s ministry, and now, some 10 years later, he can take much comfort in knowing that the Philippian believers have persevered on the path of discipleship and are still following Jesus. That is why Paul can say with confidence, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ” (v. 6). This, too, should be the cause of our thanksgiving and gladness when praying for believers — we share a common faith in Christ and are united in our love for Him. Paul is rejoicing because “all of you share in God’s grace with me” (v. 7). What could be more precious than that?

When praying for your Christian friend, take time to reflect on the glorious truth that you have a unique bond with this person. You are interceding for your spiritual brother or sister before our heavenly Father!

#4 – A Heart of Affection
“It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart . . . God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus” (v. 7-8). Paul’s prayers were not a ritualistic formality, just another item on a busy man’s To Do List. Rather, they were an expression of his deep love for the Philippians. He was their spiritual father and even though he could not be with them in person, they lived in his heart every day. The word “affection” (NIV) can be literally translated “inward parts” (NASB). The Apostle missed them dearly and his prayers were the natural outflow of the tender feelings he had for them.

#5 – A Focus on Spiritual Growth
“And this is my prayer . . .” (v. 9). Now we come to the specific requests of Paul’s prayer. I am always amazed at the content of Paul’s prayers. He rarely, if ever, mentions physical needs. Rather, his focus is on spiritual growth, personal holiness, and living a life of love for God and His people. For the Philippians, Paul pleads with God “that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ” (v. 9-11). Wow! If you have never prayed a prayer like that for another believer, why not start doing so today? Use Paul’s words and make them your own. Ask God to give your Christian friend the love, knowledge, insight, purity, blamelessness and righteousness that can only come from Jesus. What we are asking God to do is to sanctify our believing friend – that God would make him/her more and more like Jesus.

Wouldn’t you like another Christian to pray this prayer for you? Of course you would. All the more reason to pray this prayer for your Christian friends.

#6 – A God-Centered Purpose
“To the glory and praise of God” (v. 11). Paul concludes his prayer by reminding us of the ultimate purpose of his prayer – that God would be glorified and praised. Think about it: do you think God wants us to pray for the sanctification of other believers? Do you think God would like to answer such a prayer? And if He does, who gets the praise and glory for that? He does! Yes, we can only become more like Jesus by the work of the Holy Spirit, who produces His fruit in us so we can live a God-fearing, Christ-pleasing life. And the end result is that we see the work He has done in us and exclaim, “Praise you, Father, for doing a work in us that only you can do. You are renewing our minds and conforming us to the image of your Son, so that your power is displayed and your greatness is exalted.”

This is how Paul prayed for the Philippians. This is how we should pray, too, when interceding for our fellow believers.

You don’t have to be an Apostle to pray like one.

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How to Flourish Like David: 5 Keys to Spiritual Growth

Posted on June 27, 2021 by Wayne Davies

David wrote about half of the Psalms. He was a gifted writer and musician, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he wrote a plethora of hymns that have resonated with the hearts of God’s people for centuries.

Psalm 52 is no exception. It ends with these words:

“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.
I will praise you forever for what you have done;
In your name I will hope, for your name is good.
I will praise you in the presence of your saints.”
Psalm 52:8-9 (NIV 1978)

David experienced much pain and suffering in his life. In his early years, before he became Israel’s king, he was the victim of undeserved abuse at the hand of King Saul. And after taking the throne, he brought much turmoil on himself as a result of his adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband Uriah.

Yet through it all, he maintained a life of devotion to God. He is described twice as a man “after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). And here in Psalm 52 we see David reflecting on his life and saying, “I am like a green olive tree” (ESV). Like any tree, a healthy olive tree should have green leaves and bear fruit. This is what a tree is made to do. This is what it means for it to flourish and thrive.

After comparing himself to a mature, fruit-bearing olive tree, David then proclaims what that kind of life looks like. He takes a personal inventory and sees the evidence of God’s power at work in his attitudes and actions.  And while David praises God for His provision, we get a firsthand account of five spiritual keys which enabled him to pursue and maintain a godly life no matter what.

Key #1: Acceptance of God’s forgiveness.
“I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God.” Note that David says he is like a fruitful tree in the house of God. The temple wasn’t built yet, so this could be a reference to the tabernacle, the place where repentant sinners came to acknowledge their sins and offer an animal sacrifice to symbolize the provision of God’s grace through the forgiveness of sins. A godly life starts here, with the recognition of our rebellion against God and our need for His mercy. When we repent, God is more than willing to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). To live a God-pleasing life, David knew that he needed God’s forgiveness, as evidenced by his writing of Psalms 32 and 51.

Key #2: Faith in God’s love.
“I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.” David was a firm believer in the never failing, steadfast love of God. He had a confident conviction in God’s unwavering commitment to His people. This faith was based on a profound understanding that God knows what is best for us. He can be trusted because He is trustworthy. We can rely on Him to take care of us through thick and thin, good times and bad. Just like us, David had plenty of both.

Key #3: Praise for God’s work.
“I will praise you forever for what you have done.” At any point in time, David could look back on his life and see what God had done for him. David recognized God as the ultimate source of all he had experienced in life, and he continued to worship God regardless of his circumstances. The beginning of verse 9 can also be translated, “I will thank you forever, because you have done it.” David was a thankful man, filled with gratitude for the grace and mercy of God to him, an undeserving sinner.

Key #4: Hope in God’s goodness.
“In your name I will hope, for your name is good.” David was a man of hope. Because of the goodness of God, he had a positive outlook on the future. In Scripture, the word “hope” is not the wishful thinking that says, “I hope I win the lottery.” Instead, it is the strong expectation and certain assurance that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28).

Key #5: Fellowship with God’s people.
“I will praise you in the presence of your saints.” David did not trust God in isolation from others. His faith and hope were bolstered by a close relationship with other believers. He lived for God with the people of God. This is one of the indispensable marks of genuine faith — identification with and involvement in the church of Christ. The genuine Christian life is not a solo flight. It is lived out in the context of the local church — the family of God, the household of faith.

Reality Check
As you reflect on these key characteristics of David’s life, I urge you to take an inventory of your own life. How are you doing in each of these areas?

Do you regularly and genuinely confess and forsake your sins, going to God directly to express heartfelt sorrow over your faults, as well as the need for God’s power to overcome them? Then, while looking to the death of Jesus as the sole basis for God’s forgiveness, you experience the sweet joy of reconciliation with your Savior.

Do you believe in the sovereign, never-changing love of God? To increase that faith, it is essential that you spend much time in the Word, knowing that “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17).

Do you offer praise and thanks to God for His work on your behalf? A true Christian is increasingly enthralled by God’s work of salvation on our behalf through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We never tire of hearing the good news of the gospel of Christ. It is sweeter than honey and more precious than gold!

Do you find hope in the goodness of God? You do not have to travel far or spend much money to experience God’s kindness. Simply open the Bible and you’ll find evidence of His grace on every page. Then take a look at your own life and you’ll see the same God extending that same grace to you.

Are you actively involved in a local church? Do you enjoy spending time with God’s people, worshipping King Jesus together, serving Him together, and becoming increasingly like Him together? If not, something is amiss and you are outside the will of God.

By the grace of God and the strength provided by the Spirit of God, every believer can flourish by living in the presence of God. May this be my experience, and yours as well.

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How to Cultivate Daily Bible Reading

Posted on May 23, 2021 by Wayne Davies


Looking for tips on how to cultivate the habit of daily Bible reading? Here’s 5 ways to increase your love for God and his Word.

1. Decide what time of day is best for you.
Are you a morning person, or is later in the day better? We’re all different. Some folks love to wake up in the morning and dive into the Word before doing anything else. But that may not be what’s good for you, your schedule and your family – especially if you are a parent with young children who need you from the moment you wake up.

So you’ll need to figure this out. If you’re married, this may require a conversation with your spouse. But be encouraged – this is not rocket science. It can be done. And you’re smart enough to make it happen.

2. Find a place where you can be alone.
Depending on your living situation, this can be a challenge. If you have a room at home where you can close the door and be left all alone, go for it! But in many families, this can be literally impossible, at least when everyone is awake.

You may need to leave the house to be alone with God. Going to a nearby coffee shop or public library might work for you, or just take a drive and find a place to park.

3. Make a commitment to meet with God at the designated time and place.
We all make appointments. Doctor, dentist, insurance agent, whoever. Well, don’t you think it makes sense to make an appointment with God? Doesn’t he deserve the same respect you give your  tax preparer?

I urge you to cultivate an attitude that takes your daily Bible time seriously, because you want to take God seriously. Sure, life will get in the way of your plans, and the unexpected will inevitably occur and you’ll have days when your appointment with God gets cancelled for any number of valid reasons.

But if you are hungry for God and his truth, you will have the desire to keep this commitment.

4. Do it whether you feel like it or not.
There will be days when you are tempted by a lack of desire to read the Bible. That’s OK. It’s normal for our hunger for the Word to vary from day to day.

But think about this – if you only went to work on the days you felt like it, how often would you go to work? You know how it is – once you get there and get going, you usually get over those feelings.

If you start reading the Word even when you don’t feel like it, and just give it 5 minutes, I know what will happen – God will honor your persistence and before long those fickle feelings will be long gone.

5. Pray about this.
Ask God to help you to cultivate an increasing desire for him and his Word. Ask God to give you the self-discipline to put this plan into action every day (remembering that self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit – see Galatians 5:22-23).

Do you think that God wants to answer such a prayer?  Of course he does! And may he bless you greatly for spending quality time with him in the Word, and may your love for King Jesus increase as a result.

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4 Simple Steps to Better Bible Reading

Posted on May 9, 2021 by Wayne Davies

We are blessed to have a multitude of excellent resources to enhance our time in the Word. I’m always on the lookout for books, articles and sermons that communicate effective ways to read the Word.

As a result of spending quality time in the Word, I want to know God more deeply, love Him more sincerely, and obey Him more wholeheartedly.

And I believe you do, too. That’s why you’re reading this article.

I recently came across a blog post by Erik Raymond that does all the above. It’s entitled “A Tool for Reading the Bible Devotionally.” Don’t let the brevity of this article fool you. In a straightforward, easy-to-understand manner, he explains a 4-step method to read Scripture that I find wonderfully beneficial.

It also includes an example by showing you how to use these 4 steps when reading a specific passage (Ephesians 5:1-21).

It may only take you 10 or 15 minutes to read Erik’s post. You won’t regret it. And if take to heart this approach to Scripture and implement it faithfully, I know God will open the eyes of your heart and mind, so that you will see wonderful things about Him in His Word.

Here’s the link:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/a-tool-for-reading-the-bible-devotionally/

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How to Read the Bible Supernaturally

Posted on April 25, 2021 by Wayne Davies

There are always great resources available to help us read, study and understand the Bible — by the grace of God the Father, for the glory of King Jesus, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Here’s how to obtain four excellent books that will help you to pursue God through His written Word.

3 Free eBooks: John Piper’s Trilogy on the Word of God
A Peculiar Glory: How the Christian Scriptures Reveal Their Complete Truthfulness
Reading the Bible Supernaturally: Seeing & Savoring the Glory of God in Scripture
Expository Exultation: Christian Preaching as Worship
https://www.cross-points.org/3-free-ebooks-john-pipers-trilogy-on-the-word-of-god/

A Classic by R.A. Torrey, Free in Kindle Format
How to Study the Bible Intentionally: Methods and Conditions for Effective Bible Study https://www.amazon.com/How-Study-Bible-Intentionally-Updated-ebook/dp/B08DL1D157/

I don’t know how long this deal will last, so be sure to download your copies today.

 

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My Favorite Psalm

Posted on April 18, 2021 by Wayne Davies

Do you like to read the Psalms? I do.

Over the past several years, I’ve been cultivating the habit of starting the day by reading, meditating on, and praying through a psalm. As a result, God has deepened my understanding of who He is, increased my faith, and given me countless reasons to pursue a life of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord of all.

Do you have a favorite Psalm? I do. Well, several, actually.

I just read Psalm 40 a few days ago, and that has to be in my list of Top 10 favorites, along with Psalm 1, 16, 23, 32, 42, 51, 100, 103 and 110.

My wife and I have been leading a small group Bible study for the past few years. We usually meet in our home, but over the past year have been “meeting” via Zoom and conference calls. Lately we’ve been studying the Psalms, taking a closer look at one Psalm each week. This week’s study is on Psalm 40, and I thought I would share with you how we do a Bible study in our small group.

Just click here and you’ll find a Bible study on Psalm 40 that you are welcome to use. Enjoy!

https://godwrotethebook.com/bible-study-on-psalm-40/

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Bible Study on Psalm 40

Posted on April 11, 2021 by Wayne Davies

NOTE: This post is an excerpt from my book, How to Pray Like David: A Bible Study on Psalms 1-41, available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback.

I have a confession to make: I’m addicted to the Psalms.

I love reading them, meditating on them, and praying my way through them.

David wrote about half of them, so it’s no wonder that my list of “favorite psalms” includes many that are attributed to him. Such is the case with Psalm 40. This ancient hymn is definitely in my Top 10 Bible passages.

As in many of David’s hymns, God is the focus. This is David’s testimony of the work of God in his life. The breathtaking beauty of these verses is found in his heartfelt description of what God has done for him.

Ironically, however, David begins Psalm 40 with a statement about himself: “I waited patiently for the LORD” (Psalm 40:1a). But this simply sets the stage for David to shine the spotlight on the One who rescued him. Note how verses 1b – 3a is a string of sentences in which God is the subject of the verb:

He turned to me
He heard my cry
He lifted me out of the slimy pit
He set my feet on a rock
He gave me a firm place to stand
He put a new song in my mouth

David wants the world to know about the saving power of God. Is this not a compelling example of what we, too, should be talking about? Think about your conversations during a typical week. How often do you speak about God’s supernatural and gracious activity on your behalf? Over the past few days, you’ve undoubtedly talked with many people about many things. How many of those conversations were about Jesus? How many times did you mention his name?

I must make another confession: when I subject myself to this self-analysis, I realize how little I speak about my Savior to those I encounter in a typical day. I discuss politics and sports and the weather, but not much is said about the One in whom I live and move and have my being. Oh, God, save me from such a self-absorbed life!

As evangelicals, we are taught to “share our testimony.” And this is a good thing. The typical format goes something like this: what my life was like before I became a Christian; how I became a Christian; how my life has changed after I became a Christian. I applaud this approach to telling others “my story” – as long as the focus of “my story” is God, not me.

With Psalm 40:1-3 in mind, we must be sure to communicate what God has done for, in, and through us. “My story” should be told in such a way that it communicates “God’s story.” We must fill our testimony with sentences in which God is the subject of the verb. I must follow David’s example and let people know how God has lifted me out of the slimy pit of sin and how God gave me a firm place to stand by setting my feet on the Rock of Jesus Christ. God put a new song in my mouth – hymns about him and his salvation from the mud and mire of a meaningless existence in this life and a Christless eternity in the next.

This is how David talked about his God. May God help us to do the same, so that “Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD” (Psalm 40:3b).

Psalm 40: Questions for Further Study, Reflection and Discussion

1. Think of a time when God heard your cry, lifted you out of the slimy pit, and set your feet on The Rock. Please, go ahead and “speak of God’s faithfulness and salvation.” Take this opportunity to write out the “new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” And be sure to share it with others!

2. What does David expect to happen as a result of his testimony, and why is that significant? (v. 3b)

3. Who do you know who needs to hear your testimony of God’s goodness to you? Who do you know who needs to “see and fear and put their trust in the Lord”? How can others pray with you in this regard?

4. In verses 9 and 10, David reflects on several of God’s attributes. What are they?

5. Which of these divine attributes is especially meaningful to you today? And why?

6. Even though David has told us what God has already done for him (v. 1-3, v. 5), what does he pray for in verses 11-17? Make a list of David’s prayer requests. (There are many!)

7. What is prompting David to cry out to God for help? (v. 12, 14, 17)

8. What is the relationship between God’s past deliverance and David’s prayers for future deliverance?

9. Which of David’s prayer requests would you like to receive prayer for? (Pick one or two, and please be specific.)

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How Does Easter Change You?

Posted on April 10, 2021 by Wayne Davies

Happy Easter to you!

The Son of God was crucified for our sins as the Lamb of God on Good Friday, and He was raised from the dead for our immortality as the Author of Life on Easter Sunday.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said” (Matthew 28:5-6).

These breathtaking events are the bedrock of biblical Christianity, providing the promise of everlasting life and the hope of an eternal future in the presence of King Jesus.

My question for you is this: What effect does this have on us today? What difference does the resurrection of Christ make in your life right now?

John Piper answers this question brilliantly in a 13-minute presentation entitled, How Does Easter Change Us?

There are several ways that Christ’s resurrection changes us. He sheds light on five of them:
1. We share in Christ’s indestructible life.
2. We receive a new identity.
3. We experience unceasing help.
4. We acquire power to live righteously.
5. We can suffer well with our Savior.

Please take the time to listen to (or read) Dr. Piper’s compelling explanation of each of these effects of the resurrection. Key verses are provided for each point and I believe you’ll be greatly encouraged.
https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-does-easter-change-us

My favorite is #4. Through the resurrection of Jesus, we receive the necessary power from God to live righteously. “In union with the risen Christ, there is power for defeating sin and walking in righteousness . . . In union with the risen Christ we have a new power for holiness and love.” As Paul says in Romans 6:4, “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Yes, the power that raised Christ 2,000 years ago is available to us today. Paul describes this power as “immeasurable,” because it is the same power that God “worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead” (Ephesians 1:19-20).

The resurrection of Christ has tremendous life-changing effects on all who believe, both in this life and next. Amen!

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How to Meditate on the Death of Christ

Posted on April 10, 2021 by Wayne Davies

Good Friday is a wonderful day to meditate on the death of Christ. So is any other day!

I can never learn enough about the meaning of Christ’s crucifixion. I trust you will take advantage of any opportunity you have to ponder the sacrifice of our Savior. Here are some suggestions on how to do that:

#1 — If your local church offers a Good Friday service, please make it a priority to join God’s people to celebrate the most important event in the history of the world.

#2 — You can stimulate your gratitude for the death of Jesus by reading one or more of the Gospel accounts that detail what happened on Good Friday: Matthew 26-27; Mark 14-15; Luke 22-23; John 18-19.

#3 — Listen to a sermon about the death of Jesus. Here are 3 sermons by R.C. Sproul that you can access online:

The Passover
https://renewingyourmind.org/2021/03/23/the-passover

The Curse Motif of the Atonement
https://renewingyourmind.org/2021/03/31/the-curse-motif-of-the-atonement

It Is Finished
https://renewingyourmind.org/2021/04/02/it-is-finished

Enjoy!

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Why Do You Want to Go to Heaven?

Posted on March 21, 2021 by Wayne Davies

Jesus made some amazing statements.

For example, He claimed to be God, and He did so repeatedly.

“I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I am.”

The Jewish religious leaders were so outraged at this blatant pronouncement of deity that “they picked up stones to stone him.” But it wasn’t time for Him to die, so “Jesus hid himself, slipping away” from their grasp (John 8:58-59).

Here’s another bold statement Jesus made to the religious establishment, men who spent years studying and teaching the Old Testament. “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life” (John 5:39-40).

“These are the Scriptures that testify about me.”

I think it’s difficult if not impossible for us to grasp just how radical this statement would have sounded to a first century Jew steeped in the traditions of ancient Judaism. Not only did Jesus claim to be God, He claimed to be the Messiah, the One spoken about throughout the Old Testament as “the anointed one,” the long-awaited King who would come to save His people from their enemies and establish the kingdom of God on earth. He was saying, in effect, that “I am the One prophesied by the prophets of old.”

And here’s one more audacious claim:

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

This was an astonishing statement in any era. It was a hard pill to swallow 2,000 years ago. And it’s a hard pill to swallow today. In our age of religious tolerance, many people today find fault with such a narrow-minded perspective.

For orthodox Christians, however, it is one of our most treasured Scriptures. The purpose of this article is to explain the meaning of this verse and to see how it teaches the truth that reading the Bible should never be an end it itself. Rather, we read the Bible because it leads us to Jesus, and Jesus (God the Son) takes us to God the Father.

First, let’s get the context. Asking simple questions is a good way to see how any one verse fits into the bigger picture.

Who said this? Jesus. Who is he addressing? The apostles.

When and where did he say this? On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus and his disciples were celebrating the Passover meal in the Upper Room. This scene is also known as the Last Supper because it is Jesus’ final meal with his closest followers before being arrested, tried and killed on Good Friday.

Perhaps the most important question is: Why did Jesus say this? John 14:6 is Jesus’ answer to a question. More on that in a moment.

Jesus has been preparing the disciples for his departure. Note John 13:33, “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.”  Then in verse 36 Peter asks, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”

Jesus knows that he will be crucified the next day and is doing his best to get the disciples ready for this. His inevitable death has been a topic of discussion during the final months of his 3-year ministry. Mark’s gospel records Jesus’ straightforward prediction. In no uncertain terms, Jesus has been telling them, “We’re going to Jerusalem, and I’m going to be killed there. And three days later I will rise from the dead.” (See Mark 8:31-33, Mark 9:30-32 and Mark 10:32-34.)

The disciples do not know what to make of this. Even though Jesus “spoke plainly” about it, on one occasion “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him” (Mark 8:32). Their confusion is to be expected, of course, given all that Jesus has said and done in their presence. Mark provides insightful commentary on these exchanges: “But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it” (Mark 9:32).

So now we’ve come to the 13th hour in the Upper Room and Jesus once again brings up his departure. “In my Father’s house are many rooms . . . I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).

Then Thomas says, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5).

Jesus answers this question with his famous words, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

With our 20/20 hindsight, it’s easy for us to wonder about Thomas and his question. Jesus has just said, “I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Where is he going? To “my Father’s house” (v.2). And later he says, “I am going to the Father” (v.12).

But Thomas and his companions are like a deer caught in the headlights. They just don’t get it. Again, let’s not be too hard on them. Would we have reacted any differently?

In the midst of the apostles’ confusion, Jesus is presenting some of the most compelling and comforting teaching in the Bible. In a word, they are “troubled” (John 14:1). Their leader is telling them that he is leaving soon, and he is providing words to help them deal with the shock of his departure.

It is in this context that Jesus says “I am the way” to God the Father and the heavenly house that he inhabits. Much has been written and said about heaven. This passage contains one of the most beautiful descriptions of the Christian’s eternal abode – heaven is “my Father’s house” (John 14:2).

Is this not a wonderful metaphor? Think for a moment about this: If you are believer in Jesus Christ, you will live forever in your Father’s house! What is heaven like? For the Christian, it is home. It’s where you belong. It’s that one place where safety and security abound without measure.

Reflect on the many pleasant characteristics of your own home, and multiply that description by infinity, and you’re now getting a picture of what heaven will be like. Breathtaking, isn’t it?

And what makes it all possible? It is the house of God. It is the presence of the Lord Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, that makes heaven such a glorious place. When we ponder the delights of eternity, this should be our focus, because this was Jesus’ focus.

Jesus said, “I am the way.” The way to where? “I am the way . . . No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). And a few sentences later he says, “I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). For Jesus, going back to heaven meant going back to the Father.

Ah, but there’s more!

Jesus also says that the way to the Father is “through me” (John 14:6). Jesus was leaving the apostles, but this separation was temporary. He promised to come back and “take you to be with me that you may also be where I am” (John 14:3).

Heaven is not only our Father’s house, it is also the place where Jesus will live forever. When we go to heaven, we are going to live with the Father and the Son. Could there be a more precious promise in all of Scripture than this!

Scripture abounds with mind-boggling descriptions of heaven. It is a home unlike any we’ve experienced on earth. It is a place where “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). We can only imagine the glory of heaven! It is so glorious that the apostle Paul was “caught up to Paradise” but not allowed to talk about it. “He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4).

But heaven is our hope. And so we should think about it, long for it, and serve God patiently while waiting for it.

Jesus’ comments about heaven remind me of a question I first heard in a John Piper sermon: “Why do you want to go to heaven?”

I had never thought of such a question before. What is my motive for going there?

Imagine you could go to heaven and receive all the promised benefits. No more sickness or death. No more suffering. No more sorrow. You get to live forever in a perfect environment, with all the comforts of home multiplied a million times.

You get to experience everything the Bible says about heaven, with one exception. Jesus is not there.

Do you still want to go?

If Jesus is not in heaven, do you still want to go to there?

Think about it today. And examine yourself in the light of John 14:3. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am.”

When Jesus talked about heaven, the emphasis was being with him. That is the main attraction of heaven — Jesus. Should that not be our main reason for desiring heaven? May it be so.

May we say with Paul, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” (Philippians 1:23). May we long for heaven because we long to be “at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

NOTE: This blog post is an excerpt from the book, Top 10 Reasons to Read the Bible Today, by Wayne Davies. The Kindle version is available for free on Amazon.

 

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