Jesus comforted his disciples by telling them that through their greatest sorrow (his death) will come their greatest joy (his resurrection, and all its implications). If God can produce great joy through great sorrow, then we can trust him with all of our sorrows and pain. He promises that he will work all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose.

The search for meaning and purpose in life is universal, and we can think of it as a search for “Home.” We were designed and created to be at home with God, and we’ll be restless until we rest in him. In John 14, Jesus comforts his troubled disciples with the truth that he is preparing the way for them to come home, and for home to come to them. Today, we can take comfort in that same reality — that God makes his home with us as we believe in Jesus and are filled with his Spirit. And one day, that home will be fully realized and manifested when Jesus comes again. For that comfort to take hold of our hearts, we must understand that Jesus has flung wide open the door — and that he is the only way.