When the women are looking for Jesus at the empty tomb, the angels reassure them that Jesus is not in the tomb, not because the body has been stolen but because Christ is risen and he has gone ahead of them. In that immediate context, it meant that Jesus had gone ahead back to Galilee where he was going to meet with them again.
Jesus had already told them he was going on ahead though and not just to Galilee. In John 14, he told them there was no need for worry as his hour of suffering drew near. They could trust in him because they trusted God.
He then told them that he was going ahead, to prepare a home, a place for them in his fathers, home. A heavenly mansion. Not only that, but he wasn’t going to leave them to find their way on their own. He would come back to meet them, to take them back home with them.
Jesus has gone on ahead of each of us. He has prepared a place for us, so that we can be with him for ever. He promises that he will come again for each of us. It may be that he calls us out of this life into heaven or it may be that we will see him when he comes again as judge and king to make all things new.
But we can be sure of this. Jesus hasn’t left us alone and without hope. We have a home to look forward to.
Faithroots 