Brave Enough to Believe: Trade Your Doubts for Brave FaithSampel

Day 6—The Place

Thomas and the apostles had learned the value of presence and proximity. They continued to stay close to Jesus in the final days of His life on earth. During His last meal with them, Jesus poured out His heart and told them to love one another the way He loved them. He told them He would soon be leaving, assuring them that they knew the way to the place He was going. Clouded by confusion and uncertainty, they were unable to accurately process all He shared.

None of them knew the way, yet only Thomas became brave enough to speak up. He asked two crucial questions we still need the answers to today. John 14:5 shares, “Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” Because Thomas pressed Jesus for more information, they all received greater revelation.

Heaven is a personalized, customized place for every single person who believes in Jesus’s death and resurrection and who puts their faith in Him. There is no fear, no sickness, no pain, and no tears. It is a place of love, joy, and peace, filled with the presence of God and His people. We were created for perfection, but we won’t have it this side of eternity. Heaven is the full restoration of all that became ruined by the fall.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we don’t need to fear death and the unknown. Jesus wanted His last conversation with His apostles to point them toward Heaven. The answer Jesus gave to Thomas is the critical answer He gives to us: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). That is the ultimate invitation to come closer no matter what tries to drive us away.

Question:

Is there any wonder that Jesus wanted His last conversation with His apostles to point them to heaven? How strong is your desire to go to heaven?

Personal Prayer:

Jesus, thank You that one day, all that is broken will be restored. Thank You that I don’t have to fear death or the unknown.