Lent Day 30 [03.24.2026] Setting the Table

My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? - John 14:2

Scripture: John 14:1-31

Jesus beckons His disciples to trust in Him despite what is to come. He comforts them in declaring that the events soon to come must take place so that the will of God to provide salvation would be fulfilled. In doing so, Jesus promises us that He is only going on ahead to prepare the way for us, not to leave us behind. His going on before us firstly provides salvation, overcoming death and providing a way for us to receive eternal life. Secondly, He has gone ahead of us so that His leaving could lead to the coming of the Holy Spirit, the great advocate and the Spirit of truth. He is not leaving us like a child left behind as an orphan, rather He is leaving so that God could live in us according to verse 17. Finally, Jesus declares that though He is not leaving us behind, He is leaving behind with us His peace that overcomes fear.

In this way, Jesus has prepared a place for us in advance that we can now reach by following Jesus. Sometimes we feel abandoned by God in our suffering and persecution, but today’s scripture is a deep reminder that those moments are the training grounds and preludes to greater things. No matter the events that are soon to take place in our lives, we are to overcome them with the greater things Jesus has provided for us with His leaving. In His leaving, He provided salvation, peace, and the Holy Spirit. Through such greater gifts, we are called to overcome this world.

Reflection:

1.     When was there a time you felt abandoned by God?

2.     How can we trust in Jesus’ words to overcome feelings of doubt and fear?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for preparing a place of blessing and glory for me. Through your cross and resurrection, I know that you have prepared for me a place of life, peace, and eternity. You did not abandon me as an orphan, rather went ahead and set a table of abundance before me. Thank you for the gift of salvation, peace, and the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

제목: 상을 차리시는 주님

본문: 요한복음 14:1-31

예수님께서는 앞으로 일어날 일들 속에서도 제자들에게 당신을 신뢰하라고 부르십니다. 하나님께서 구원을 이루시기 위해 반드시 이루어져야 할 일들이 있음을 말씀하시며 그들의 마음을 위로하십니다. 예수님은 우리를 버려두기 위해 떠나시는 것이 아니라, 우리를 위해 길을 예비하시기 위해 먼저 가신다고 약속하십니다.

예수님께서 먼저 가심은 첫째로, 구원을 이루시기 위함입니다. 죽음을 이기시고 우리에게 영원한 생명의 길을 열어 주셨습니다. 둘째로, 예수님의 떠나심은 성령님의 오심을 위한 것이었습니다. 성령님은 우리를 돕는 보혜사이시며 진리의 영이십니다. 우리는 더 이상 고아처럼 버려진 존재가 아니라, 하나님께서 우리 안에 거하시는 존재가 되었습니다(17절). 마지막으로, 예수님은 우리를 떠나시면서도 두려움을 이기는 평안을 우리에게 남겨 주셨습니다.

이처럼 예수님께서는 우리가 따라갈 수 있도록 이미 우리를 위해 자리를 준비해 두셨습니다. 때로 우리는 고난과 핍박 속에서 하나님께 버림받은 것처럼 느낄 때가 있습니다. 그러나 오늘 말씀은 그 시간들이 더 큰 것을 위한 준비의 과정임을 보여 줍니다. 우리의 삶에 어떤 일이 일어나더라도, 예수님께서 이미 주신 더 큰 것들—구원, 평안, 성령님—으로 세상을 이기며 살아가야 합니다.

묵상 질문

1. 하나님께 버림받았다고 느꼈던 순간은 언제였습니까?

2. 의심과 두려움을 이기기 위해 어떻게 예수님의 말씀을 신뢰할 수 있습니까?

   
   

기도

하나님 아버지, 저를 위해 영광과 축복의 자리를 미리 준비해 주셔서 감사합니다. 십자가와 부활을 통해 생명과 평안, 영원을 위한 길을 열어 주셨음을 믿습니다. 저를 고아처럼 버려두지 않으시고, 앞서 가셔서 풍성한 상을 차려 주심에 감사드립니다. 구원과 평안, 성령님의 선물을 통해 이 세상을 이기게 하소서. 예수님의 이름으로 기도합니다. 아멘.