John 14:1-3
March 2, 2026
John 14:1-3
CONFESS
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.
READ & REFLECT
John 14:1-3
1"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2In 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? 3And 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.
Jesus exhorts his disciples not to let their hearts be troubled. Easier said than done! The problem is that they have received a lot of depressing news. Jesus has already informed them that one of them will betray him, Peter will deny him, and now Jesus is going away and they will not be able to follow him. That is a lot to cause anxiety! But Jesus encourages his followers not to be troubled. They may not be able to trust one another fully - or even themselves - in light of Jesus’ warnings, but they can trust God, and they can trust Jesus.
Jesus tells his disciples that the reason he is going away is ultimately for their benefit. He is leaving them to prepare a place for them (and us) in his Father’s house. The last time Jesus spoke of his Father’s house (John 2.16), he was referring to the Temple, the place where heaven and earth meet. But now Jesus is hinting that he will prepare a place in a new house, where an unhindered relationship with the Father is possible. Jesus promises his followers that he will personally make sure they arrive at their destination so that wherever Jesus is, they may be there also.
How is your heart troubled at this moment? In what ways do you need to express your trust in Jesus?
PRAY
Weekly Collect
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities that may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.