05.07.23

Scripture Reading - John 14:1-14

Message “”

Last week we were reminded that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. And in order for Him to be a good shepherd, He needs to walk alongside His sheep. And not only did He call Himself the good shepherd, He also said He was the gate. The only way in and out of the pasture. These two images are helpful as it relates to the world in which we live. It’s good to be reminded we are not alone in this world, but we have a Good Shepherd. And we have the promise that Christ, the gate, is the one who decides who does and does not belong in His kingdom.

As we come into John 14, Jesus is talking to His followers. And John is the only gospel writer who allows us to see this closely into the final hours of Jesus Christ. These verses are the opening of what is called the “farewell discourse.” Jesus is attempting to prepare His followers for what is about to happen. And not just His death and resurrection, but His ascension into Heaven.

So He begins, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Now they have no idea what their hearts might be troubled by. But He does. And He is trying to prepare them for what is about to happen. He will be leaving them. But they don’t need to fear. Because He will return again.

Now, I know this is one of those hard to believe passages. I mean, Jesus spoke these words over 2000 years ago. And here we [are, sitting in a church on May 7, 2023, and Jesus still hasn’t returned. At least not in any substantial way. And I’ve shared this before, but when my 5 year old sister was near death, my mom was at her side and one of the last things she said was, “Mommy, I see Jesus.” In that moment, my sister saw Jesus coming to take her to where He was. And I fully believe that.

But in the church, we are looking for a grand return. We are looking for a world shattering event. And that just hasn’t happened yet. So, both those inside and outside the church ask, “Will Christ ever really return?” Now, the really quick answer to this is, “He promised to. And if you believe all His other promises, you ought to believe this one too. Just because you haven’t seen it fulfilled doesn’t it make it any less reliable.” To God, a million years is like a second.

So while we haven’t seen it, we can believe it, and in believing it, we recognize that this world, as good as it can be, as much fun as we may have, as many celebrations as we can fit in, is not all there is. And the opposite is also true. Whatever difficulties you face, whatever hardships you endure, whatever pain you suffer, are only temporary. This world is not our home.

But it is where we reside. And not only us. Even if we were the only ones who lived on our street, in order to get from here to there, we pass any number of homes, and in many of those homes are others. Moms, dads, brothers, sisters, parents, children, grandparents, and on and on. The people who live next to you are living a life with joys and sorrows just like you. They live in the same world, and they need the same Jesus.

Now the disciples have some questions. Thomas asks Jesus, “How can we know the way?” And Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father. And Jesus responds, I am the way, the truth and the life, and if you have seen me you have seen the Father.