John 14:2 “…I am going there to prepare a place for you; I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
One warm September afternoon thousands craned their necks up to the La Salve Bridge near the Bilbao Guggenheim museum Spain. 27 meters above competitors in the World Cliff Diving event signalled to teams below. As the high divers prepared to leave the platform of the bridge those already in the water began to slap the surface. They were breaking the surface tension to reduce resistance for their fellow diver’s entry.
When Jesus followers were voicing their anxiety about the future, their concern in part was driven by not being able to see how they could penetrate the space between two worlds – temporarily and eternal. John tells us that Jesus gave this assurance “…I am going there to prepare a place for you, I will come back….” It had become clear to the disciple’s that in some way Jesus was leaving and yet they would again be with Him.” The word ‘prepare’ which Jesus uses is key for us. The disciples became so occupied so troubled about the transition to heaven that they struggled to grasp the promise of the ‘place’ being prepared for us.
How comforting to know that our journey of faith will not mean arriving at a place unprepared for us – we will not be alone or the first to travel that way. The divers in Bilbao had sight of others waiting in the water. Fear of a painful entry was being removed by the breaking of surface tension and welcome committee. The challenge was to commit to the dive. As we walk through this life towards the next may we take comfort in the knowledge that Jesus has broken through and stands ready to welcome us to the place He has prepared for you.
Rob Wykes 