By Pastor Don Schatz

Jesus’s Promise

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link

Last month I visited the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.  It wasn’t on my bucket list.  I was in the area, so why not take advantage of the opportunity?  Finally arriving at the large hall where the bronze plaques of the Hall-of-Famers hang, there were two spots with placeholders.  These were signed by Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen respectively.  This year’s inductees.  How nice of the Hall of Fame to hold a place for their plaques!  That space will change from white to bronze.

“In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.”
John 14:2-3.  New Revised Standard Version

The MLB Hall of Fame has nothing on Jesus.  If anything, they are copycats!  Long ago, Jesus said that in the Father’s house are many dwelling places.  He is preparing our spots.  He will take us there one day.  I like to think he has written our names on the doors in the script of heaven.  We will not change to bronze, but we will be transformed. Body and soul.

These verses were a special blessing to me when my wife died two-and-a-half years ago.  I could picture her, Jesus leading her by the hand, entering the space he had so lovingly prepared for her. Could she hear the continuous beating of the Lord’s heart? Beating for her. Beating for you. Beating for us.

The one who calls our name, loves our name.  He writes it in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  Because he loves you.  His promise of a place for you, prepared by Jesus himself, is more certain than a placeholder plaque in the Hall of Fame.  Count on it.  Be glad in it!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado