The Way Through The Waiting

// RECAP

The Upper Room Series

The last night Jesus was with his Disciples before his crucifixion

During the passover meal

Week 1: The Servant’s Towel

Week 2: Love & Betrayal

Jesus has just said that one of the disciples that has been with him faithfully for the past three years is going to betray him.

It would be one thing to understand if it was a newer follower, or a fellow Jew, but this is very clearly someone that is close, intimate, engaged with Jesus.

Adding to the confusion and disheartening news of a betrayal from within, Peter is specifically called out that he will deny Jesus three times that very night before the rooster crows.

Betrayal vs. Denial

Defined

Betrayal: an intentional act of disloyalty or treachery against someone who trust you.

Denial: a refusal to acknowledge

Motive

Betrayal: self-interest, greed

Denial: fear, panic, weakness

Depth

Betrayal: it comes from within - a choice to harm

Depth: reactionary - a moment of fear and self preservation.

Jesus Response

Betrayal: Jesus releases the betrayer

Denial: Jesus restores the denier

with this as a backdrop…

Turn in your bible to John 14.

John 14:1 ESV

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

JESUS QUIETS THE STORM BEFORE IT BEGINS

Troubled

gk. tarasso; to stir or agitate

John 12:27 “27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.”

in his flesh, Jesus is stirred knowing the impending torture that is coming to him. Yet he knows that what is troubling him will bring glory to the Father and therefore he accepts the assignment.

John 13:21 “21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.””

Jesus is stirred again, knowing that one of his closest friends is going to hand him over to be killed. Yet after this he states that the “son is now glorified.”

John 14:1 “1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”

after all this, Jesus looks at his disciples and gives them and possibly himself an encouraging word to not be troubled.

What is Troubling You?

Jesus has said several times now that he is leaving them

One of the 12 is a traitor

Peter is going to deny three times

Jesus says he’s praying for them (great!) because Satan is at work against them all (Luke 22.31-32)

All the disciples would be under such pressure that they would all fall away (Matt 26.31)

Due to our position in this story, we as the reader are experiencing dramatic irony.

We know what is coming next in the storyline, and we know how the story ends.

Yet, when we are in the place of the disciples ourselves, we slowly lose trust in the story that God is penning.

We begin to believe the lie that our current circumstances will not shake out – “this is the time that God isn’t going to come through”

Can I echo the words of strength from Jesus, “do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God, trust in Jesus…TRUST HIS STORY!”

PREPARING TO RETURN

John 14:2–3 ESV

2 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? 3 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.

Preparation

many rooms gk. monai; a dwelling place, abode, mansion

Jesus is preparing a glorious and extravagant place for us to dwell with him!

Revelation 19:11–16 ESV

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Revelation 21:3–4 ESV

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 22:1–5 ESV

1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

While we don’t know what is going to happen next in our story, we do know how our story ends!

Returning

Jewish Betrothal

Shidduch (matchmaking)

Ketubah (marriage covenant)

outlining the groom’s responsibilities - provision, protection, love

if the bride accepts, the couple was considered legally married, even though they did not live together or had consummated the marriage.

Cup of the Covenant

the groom would offer the bride a cup of wine

if the bride drank from the cup is was a sign that she accepted the covenant.

This is the same offer we see Jesus make to us in the Upper Room

Luke 22:20 “20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Groom Prepares a Place

often an addition to his father’s house

this could takes, weeks to possibly a year, and the bride would not know when he was going to return - therefore she had to be ready constantly.

in fact, the whole village would be ready and waiting for the return of the bridegroom…

The Return of the Bridegroom

the bridegroom would return, often at night, to “steal away” his bride

the bridegroom would return with the sound of trumpet blasts and the village would awake.

the bride was already ready and she would run out to meet her bridegroom

We see so much in the parables that Jesus teaches about the 10 virgins, and coming like a thief in the night.

Matthew 25:6 “6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’”

Final Stage: The Wedding (Nissuin)

the bride and groom would enter the wedding chambers, consummating the marriage and the wedding feast would follow, often lasting seven days!

So Jesus is telling his disciples where they are in the story line. He is going to prepare a place (we are engaged and in covenant).

He’s going to return and take us away with him!!

JESUS IS THE WAY

John 14:6–11 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

The Way

gk. hodos; road, mode, means, route, progress

he is the way - there are no other options.

Of all the world religions, only Judaism, Christianity, and Islam lean into a singular way to eternal life. Every other religion presents multiple ways with no assurance.

Contrast of Eternal Life in Christianity and Islam

1. Way to Eternal Life

Christianity: By grace through faith in Jesus

Islam: By works and submission to Allah

2. Who Provides Salvation?

Christianity: Jesus (God incarnate) provides salvation

Islam: No savior; salvation is based on individual effort

3. Assurance of Salvation

Christianity: Yes—believers can have confidence through faith in Christ

Islam: No—salvation is uncertain and depends on Allah’s mercy

4. Nature of Eternal Life

Christianity: Intimate relationship with God—eternity in His presence

Islam: A paradise of reward and pleasure—focused on blessings

5. View of God

Christianity: A personal and loving Father

Islam: A sovereign, transcendent master

Ephesians 2:13 “13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:18 “18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.”

Hebrews 10:19–22 “19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

The Truth

gk. aletheia; truth

John 1:14 “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:17–18 “17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”

Psalm 86:11 “11 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”

we see a connection to truth and the heart - remember Jesus said, “do not let your hearts be troubled.”

The Life

gk. zoe; life, to live

This is the 6 of 7 “I am” statements that John records in his gospel.

I am the Bread of Life

I am the Light of the World

I am the Door

I am the Good Shepherd

I am the Resurrection & the Life

I am the Way, the Truth, the Life

I am the True Vine

John 11:25–26 ESV

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

I echo Jesus’ question - “Do you believe this?”

GLORIFY THE FATHER

John 14:12–14 ESV

12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Belief in Jesus

Greater Works will Be Done

The Father is Glorified when we Ask and Do things in Jesus Name