Though Jesus’ disciples were privileged to experience His actual physical presence, they still had fears and doubts. And after traveling for three years with Jesus to familiar places, they still were puzzled when He spoke of going away, wondering where that could be. If I’d been one of His disciples, I would have wondered about it, too.
John 14 begins a long discourse which must have slowly brought some understanding. Jesus explained that He is the Way and the Truth and the Life. He told of how He would leave this world and go back to His Father. He promised a place in the eternal realm for all who choose to come to the Father through Him.
Most of us gave very little thought to death when we were younger. But with the passing of years, we think about it more and more. We long for some assurance that there is more to life than what we’ve experienced on planet earth. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection we have complete assurance that there is more. And one day, all believers will enter into that glorious reality.