Together Again

With apologies to Kermit the Frog, I’ve entitled today’s message, “Together Again.”  Some of you may remember the 1984 movie, “The Muppets Take Manhattan.”  Aside from all the silliness and slapstick, the Muppets had no joy until they were all together.  Even in the 2011 movie, “The Muppets,” when they’re all on their own, there was not the joy that used to be.  Yet, when they all finally got back together, there was great joy and they felt they could do anything.

Folks, I’m not suggesting that we take our understanding of Christian living from the Muppets.  Yet, we can identify with this, since we’ve all experienced similar feelings.  Personally, I know that Jannita and I have great joy when as much of our family can be together, as possible.  She and I have great joy, as well, when as many of you in this church are together here.  Now, imagine, if you will, the anguish and sorrow the 11 disciples were experiencing as they were trying to grasp what life would be like without Jesus with them.  

It is built into us to want to be around those whom we love.  We want to spend time with them and do things with them.  It is even more so when we are speaking of Jesus, the One Who has given eternal life to all Who would believe.  You and I understand this a bit better since we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us as the guarantor of our inheritance and redemption in Jesus Christ, according to Ephesians 1 and 4.  Yet, even now, we sometimes struggle, as we don’t always feel the presence of Jesus. So, how can we deal with this?

Knowing the reality that we will one day be together with Jesus gives us comfort and courage to live for Him today.

Togetherness Involves a Place. - 14:1-3

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

Last time we were in John, we read how Jesus had just begun sharing with His disciples their final instructions.  Here, in verse 1, it appears that He clearly knew their dismay about Him leaving them.  As we try to imagine ourselves in their place, we must also remember that these men had left everything to follow Him.  And now He was about to leave them.  So, he reminded them to not let themselves be discouraged or downhearted.  

This word, troubled, shows the intensity of their inner turmoil.  It is the same word we’ve seen previously which describes severe mental and emotional agitation.  Jesus is telling them to stop being troubled.  

Oftentimes, when we’re feeling disheartened, there’s always someone who comes along and tries to encourage us to not worry.  At the time, that seems like fluffy, unhelpful advice.  However, Jesus gives them a qualifier which should help them to not be troubled.

Jesus equates that, as they believe in God, they can believe in Him, as well.  Again, Jesus is showing that He and the Father are one.  He is God.  This belief, which he is describing, is not a belief for salvation.  These 11 had already chosen to believe in Him.  What Jesus is referring to is an ongoing, continuing sort of belief.  Though they had placed their trust in Jesus for salvation, they were beginning to have weak spots in their faith.  

Yet, how might this possibly encourage them?  After all, Jesus had been fairly straightforward about the fact that He’s leaving them.  How is that really supposed to help?

We start to see some revealing facts in verse 2.  He explains something to them which is a bit more tangible.  Remember, they were somewhat earthbound in their thinking, just as you and I probably would be.  Peter wanted to go with Jesus right then and there, you recall.  Jesus promised them all, that they would be with Him later on in Jesus’ perfect time.  So Jesus now talks about dwelling places or abiding places.  And these dwelling places are in His Father’s house; it is where Jesus is going; back to the Father to dwell with Him forever.  They will be together again, just as we will be.  

But what exactly does this mean?  The phrase, Father’s House, commonly refers to heaven or where God dwells.  There are numerous descriptions of its grandeur and awesomeness throughout the Bible.  As we go on and Jesus explains a bit further, we see that there are many dwelling places.  Some of the translations use the phrase many mansions.  This is not how the Greek language presents this, nor would it fit into the cultural understanding of that time; but is rather more of a British way of trying to describe the magnificence of our future dwelling.  The focus is really on the intimacy of being in God’s very presence and the fact that there will be room for all who believe in Jesus.  

Jesus has always been absolutely truthful.  Jesus is Truth itself.  Jesus reminds them that if this were not the case, then He would be been sharing that information with them already.  However, the reality is that Jesus is going to prepare a place for them (and all who will believe in Him).  

Verse 3 elaborates even more.  If, in fact, Jesus is going to prepare a place in His Father’s house for them, it stands to reason that He’ll be coming back to retrieve His own and take them to be with Him.  This is very much the picture of the groom coming to get the bride to live with him as his wife.  Again, we remember that Jesus reminded them that though they couldn’t come to be with Him right then, they would eventually come to be with Him.  This is a picture of the rapture of the church.  Jesus says nothing here about judgment for the world at this point.  So, I would assume that this is a reminder that Jesus will come to get His bride, the Church, to be with Him forever, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.  

Yet, there is still the question as to where and how exactly this might be.

Togetherness Involves a Path. - 14:4-6

“And you know the way where I am going.”  Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?”  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

This is almost like a rhetorical comment in verse 4.  The disciples probably understood that Jesus was going to die.  Jesus had explained to them that He was going to go back to the Father.  However, it still didn’t quite compute with the disciples.  

Now, instead of Peter responding, Thomas speaks in verse 5.  He speaks what everyone probably was thinking.  The only places the disciples knew about were tangible and earthbound.   The disciples understood death, but didn’t truly understand what happened after the grave.  How does one know where the Creator of the universe goes?  How can One Who is Spirit and has taken on bodily form actually go back to be with the Heavenly Father?  All the disciples understood about themselves was that they were flesh and blood.  They knew they loved God.  They knew they loved Jesus.  Yet, how could they know the way in order to be with Jesus?

To this, Jesus answers in somewhat of a cryptic manner.  Verse 6 is a verse that we often use to describe Who Jesus is and how one can experience salvation.  John MacArthur elaborates on this:  Jesus alone is the way to God because He alone is the truth about God and He alone possesses the life of God. The purpose of this gospel is to make those things known, so they are repeated throughout the book so as to lead people to faith and salvation (20:31).

Throughout the New Testament, it is made abundantly clear that the only way to approach God, or experience salvation, or go to heaven, is through Jesus Christ. There are not multiple ways.  There are not opportunities after death to change ones mind.  It is not a one-size fits all form of salvation.  It is very specific; it is very singular; it is not inclusive; it is quite simple—it is through Jesus Christ alone.  Jesus is the way to God because He is God.

Thomas asked the question.  Jesus let Thomas know that heaven was exclusive.  Heaven is only for those who come to salvation through Jesus Christ.  Yet, how does this provide comfort and courage for the disciples, knowing that Jesus is leaving?  A former president of Moody Bible Institute, Dr. James M. Gray, wrote these words to one of his hymns:  “Who could mind the journey, when the road leads home?”  Ah, yes; together again.

Togetherness Involves a Promise. - 14:7-12

“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”  Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”  Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  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 initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.  Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.  Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

At this point, Jesus is pointing out that by knowing Him, they would know the Father.  If they would just understand Who Jesus truly was, they would know that He is God and they would know the Father, as a result.  So, because of knowing Jesus, they do know the Father.  Previously, Jesus was answering Thomas specifically.  Here, however, the word for you is plural, showing that Jesus is speaking for all their benefit.  

You see, the world wants us to acknowledge that Jesus is just a good man, or a great teacher who promoted morality and spirituality.  That is far from the truth. Jesus is God, pure and simple.  To claim to be God and be no more than a great man and teacher, makes Jesus out to be a liar, which would destroy any thinking of Him being a good man.  

Philip reveals in verse 8 that he still doesn’t get it.  Philip speaks for the disciples by a simple request.  If Jesus would just show them the Father, they’ll be satisfied with that.  It’s as if Philip was from the “Show Me State.”  

Jesus responds patiently by reminding Philip and the others that they already had seen the Father.  By Philip, and the others, having been with Jesus and having come to believe in Him, they knew Jesus already.  And Jesus came to reveal to us the Father.  He came to do the Father’s will.  He came to speak only that which the Father wanted Him to speak.  In other words, if you’ve seen Jesus, you’ve seen the Father.

Then Jesus begins to clarify in verse 10 what He is saying.  Everything that the Son says and does is what the Father would say and do.  Everything that the Father says and does is what Jesus would say and do.  The Father dwells in Jesus and gives the words to speak and the words to do.  

If they cannot believe this, then according to verse 11, they should believe because of the works which only God can do.  Then verse 12 reveals that the incredible works which Jesus did on behalf of the Father are going to be exceeded by the works the disciples will do.  These are not greater in power, but greater in extent or scale. What might those works be? 

The focus is not primarily on physical miracles and works.  It seems to be the incredible work of the spiritual miracle of salvation, as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is greater because the Message will go throughout the world.  It would be greater numerically, as well.  While Jesus was on this earth, there were hundreds who believed in Him.  Yet, in the beginnings of the Church, thousands came to salvation through Him.  

How is it possible that the works will be greater?  Because Jesus will go to the Father.  That may not make a whole lot of sense, except for the fact that we know that Jesus would then send the Holy Spirit to empower us to do those good works on behalf of the Father.  We will have His strength working in us and will get to see Him doing things through us that are not normally possible.

Togetherness Involves Provision. - 14:13-14

“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

How does this all tie together?  Jesus is about to leave them.  He stated that they should know the Father because they know Him.  He encouraged them with the promise that He will come back to get them.  He inspired them to know that while they’re still here they are going to be doing amazing and incredible things for God.  Yet, there is no how-to manual for them.  And what about their basic provisions so they could continue?

Jesus lets them know that just because He’s not right there with them physically, all they have to do is ask the Father in Jesus’ Name; it will get done by Jesus.  Prayer is the means by which we know that God is still with us and cares for us.  

The purpose is seen in the last part of verse 13, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  It’s not a spin the wheel type of request.  It’s not throwing a penny into the pool request.  It’s not wishing upon a star request.  Simply, using the phrase In Jesus’ Name, is not what Jesus was talking about.  It’s asking for whatever is in line with God’s will and for God’s glory.  In MacArthur’s book on prayer, he explains this:  it means to make requests consistent with God’s will and the purposes of His kingdom.  It is to approach God based on the merits of Jesus Christ (cf. John 16:26–28) and to acknowledge one’s complete dependence on Him to supply every need.  It is to align one’s requests with the Father’s supreme goal of glorifying the Son.

That is what verse 14 means when we read this promise.  If we ask in Jesus’ Name, it is not a request using a formula which has magical or mystical connotations.  It is understanding what it is that will bring glory and honor to God; so we ask accordingly.  The wonderful promise is that Jesus said I will do it.

Ponderings

The presence of Christ is enough to calm the believing heart in whatever perplexing, troubling, or discouraging situation it finds itself. As the Puritan John Owen noted, “A sense of God’s presence in love is sufficient to rebuke all anxiety and fears; and not only so, but to give, in the midst of them, solid consolation and joy” (The Forgiveness of Sin [repr.; Grand Rapids: Baker, 1977], 17).

Jesus alone reveals God, and no one who rejects His proclamation of the truth can legitimately claim to know God. It was because the early Christians taught that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation that Christianity became known as “The Way” (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22).

It has been suggested that believing in Jesus Christ for salvation was like a blind leap of faith.  However, this is not accurate.  The information is all in the Bible.  Fact after fact has been given.  The reality is that it is a knowledgeable choice that is made by each person; either to believe in Jesus or to reject Him.  It is not just what He said but what He did which was validated by His friends and His enemies.  

Though Jesus would no longer be visibly present with them, the Spirit would provide them with all the power they needed to continue the work He had begun (cf. Acts 1:8).

Vance Havner gives some wonderful food for thought:  “If you are a Christian, you are not a citizen of this world trying to get to heaven; you are a citizen of heaven making your way through this world.”  Jesus promises that until we’re together again, He is still with us and will provide for our every need in keeping with His will for our lives and bringing glory to the Father.  While here on this planet, Jesus gives us the assurance that one day we will be together with Him.  Knowing this, He gives us the courage and comfort to live for Him today.  If we do, we will do greater things as He works through us to reach others for Jesus.