In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

John 14:2-3

There is an old gospel-style song that has the chorus: “Lord, build me a cabin in the corner of glory land.”

While this may seem peaceful and quaint, it’s not scripture!

Jesus is telling us many things in this short passage, not the least  is that we will live like royalty! 

No, a little cabin is not a good analogy at all.

First of all, Jesus is telling us that we will be living in the Father’s house. Wow! We will be abiding in the same location as the King of glory, creation, and salvation! Does that sound like a little cabin to you?

Secondly, Jesus is telling us that He is going to prepare this mansion for us. This does not mean that He is making the way possible so that can do the final act of belief, will, or works to gain it. He is preparing it like a cook prepares a meal. The meal is done entirely by the cook. All we have to do is eat it. The mansion that Jesus is preparing for each of God’s people involves only the will and work of the Master Himself! Does that sounds like some humble place off to the side in the corner?

Further, Jesus even tells us how we will get there (How we will eat the meal He has prepared). It’s not left up to us to finish the work by accepting it, being baptized, or doing any other thing. The phrase “receive you unto myself” has the child of God as the direct object in the sentence. This means the child is not the one doing the work. Jesus is the subject. Jesus is the One coming to get us. Jesus is preparing the place for us, and He will come back and take us there by His power! 

Finally, this mansion in the Father’s house is described as the dwelling place of Jesus. That means it is the perfect paradise, and we will be with Jesus as long as He is there. By the way, that is for all eternity!

We will be living in a place designed and built by the Master Architect of the universe. It will be large and comfortable. Jesus will come at take us there — we won’t have to find the way. It will shine with all His glory. Jesus will be the center of all activity. And we will be right there with Him. Forever.

And notice this one last detail. The old song has us asking for a home. The gospel tells us that Jesus is giving us this place without us even asking.

Wow!