We’ve just gone through an election cycle unlike any I’ve personally seen in my young life. But there’s one thing that happens in each election that remains the same: candidates make promises. Some promises are kept. Other promises get swept under the rug or maybe simply forgotten.
With certain candidates, we may hope they keep their promises. Other promises, we hope they don’t keep because we believe they will be to our harm. As I think about our response to presidential candidates, I wonder if we really yearn for a leader who wants our best while also keeping every promise they make. In other words, I think we yearn for a Savior-King. In this election cycle, more than ever in my experience, it seemed as though so many people placed so much of their trust in the presidential candidates to correct all the brokenness, but the reality is that no candidate can do that. No candidate knows perfectly what everyone needs. And even if they did, they wouldn’t be able to follow through on all their promises.
Enter Jesus. In John 14:2-3, Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. 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, that where I am you may be also.” I find Jesus’ words almost startling. “If it were not so, would I have told you…?” So many rulers and leaders make promises, but just because they say something does not mean it’s going to happen. But Jesus can say, “I wouldn’t waste my time saying something that is a lie.” And the disciples could trust him. He had proved himself not only to be completely trustworthy but also to be the Truth. Would the Truth lie? Absolutely not. Therefore, his disciples then, and all disciples throughout all time, have confidence in what Jesus says. He is preparing for us a place, a kingdom, a home.
But how can we have that confidence? Jesus’ words also spoke to necessary action. How would he go to prepare a place? Through death. And in his death, he did for us what we could never do. He died on the cross to take our punishment. Through him people can receive forgiveness, righteousness and grace. Because of him, through trust in him, we are adopted into God’s family. Now, we have eternal hope and restoration with God himself.
Jesus’ words promised action. His death and resurrection were not in vain. There is no ruler like him! And today, we rejoice in the One who makes promises, keeps promises and also fulfills the promises.