“And they lived happily ever after” is how all the best children’s stories end.

The prince and princess are happy in the castle. The knight in shining armor slays the dragon. The bears get their house back and gain a new friend in the process, and the big, bad wolf gets what is coming to him so a grandma and her clothed-in-red granddaughter can enjoy spending time together.

These stories are entertaining, but they aren’t real. They are make-believe. But there is one book that has a “happily ever after” ending that is real. One that actually will take place. That book is the Bible.

Today’s verses are Jesus’ words to His disciples (and to us) shortly before His arrest which, in turn, leads to His death, burial, and resurrection. He promises them their happily ever after — a home with Him.

Jesus promises that if we believe in God and in Him we can live with Him forever.

Remember, Jesus is talking about more than just believing He exists. The Greek word He uses for “believe” means to accept completely — to follow obediently and faithfully.

When we believe like that, we live with the hope that when Jesus returns He will take us to our eternal home, where we will live happily ever after with Him.