November 5, 2025 

In John 14:1–3, Jesus comforts His disciples by promising that He is going to prepare a place for them, assuring that where He is, they will be also. A Place Prepared reminds us that heaven isn’t far away or abstract—it’s a promise of presence, belonging, and home in Christ.

Devotional: 

Goodbyes are hard, even when they’re temporary. The disciples didn’t understand what Jesus meant when He said He was going away, and their hearts were troubled. But Jesus knew what they couldn’t yet see—that death would not have the final word. “I go to prepare a place for you,” He said, “so that where I am, you may be also.” Those words still echo across every funeral, every graveside, every empty chair at the table.

When we lose someone we love, the ache can feel endless. But Jesus didn’t say, “You’ll come find Me someday.” He said, “I will come and take you to Myself.” That’s a promise of presence, not just a destination. Heaven is not some distant realm where souls float in isolation—it’s home. It’s the place where the communion of saints becomes visible, where every separation is healed, and every tear finally dries.

And yet, this promise isn’t only for the future. Right now, Christ is preparing us for the place He’s preparing for us. He shapes our hearts through mercy, patience, and love so that when the door opens, we’ll already know what home feels like. The saints who’ve gone ahead aren’t gone forever; they’ve simply moved into the room next door.

So today, let your grief breathe—but let hope breathe with it. Christ’s promise means your story isn’t ending; it’s unfolding. The communion of saints is heaven’s way of saying, “You belong here, too.”

Action: Take a quiet moment today to imagine Jesus welcoming someone you miss into the home He promised. 

Prayer: Lord, thank You for preparing a place for us and for every saint who has gone before. Help us live with the kind of hope that sees beyond sorrow. Teach us to trust Your promise that where You are, we will be also. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Thought for the Day: Heaven isn’t far away—it’s home, waiting for us in Christ.