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We
live in an age of increased anxiety. There are many
things to be troubled over—there is much stress in our
everyday lives. Downsizing in the workplace
unfortunately is commonplace, with more responsibility
falling to fewer workers. A woman who works at a local
printing company says that her current job was once the
job of three full-time workers. A gentleman in his
mid-fifties remembers when he first started working that
three o’clock in the afternoon was quitting time. Three
o’clock was the time the out going mail was picked up.
A few years later the time became 5:30 p.m. since that
was the time the mail would go out. In today’s world
quitting time has been blurred with overnight delivery,
faxes, email and cell phones. In our stress filled
world we need to hear once again Jesus’ words, “Do not
let your hearts be troubled.”
In speaking with the disciples in
the Upper Room prior to his Passion Jesus told them, “Do
not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe
also in me.” While Jesus looked forward to his time
with the disciples, they were filled with the anxiety of
not knowing what would happen to Jesus or to them. The
disciples had every reason to be troubled--their very
lives hung in the balance. Jesus’ words gave them hope
and assurance.
The solution is found in Jesus’ words, “Believe in God,
believe also in me.” Believing in Jesus gives us a
greater perspective as well as a sense of purpose.
Jesus’ words help us refocus our lives—to live out our
faith on purpose. Ultimately we will answer to a higher
authority.
In
our gospel lesson Jesus makes three promises to the
bewildered disciples. These are words we need to hear
and live by as well.
First, Jesus promises us a permanent dwelling place.
“In my Father's house there are many dwelling places,”
Jesus told the disciples. The disciples were worried
about what would happen to them once Jesus was no longer
physically present with them as he had been for the past
three years. They were filled with the anxiety of not
knowing. What would become of Jesus? What would happen
to them? Would the movement that Jesus began continue?
These were just some of the questions that must have
filled the disciples’ minds that night in the Upper
Room.
No
matter what happens to us, Jesus promises, there will be
a place for each one of us in God’s own house. “And if
I go and prepare a place for you,” Jesus says, “I will
come again and will take you to myself, so that where I
am, there you may be also.” Through Jesus we are part
of God’s own family. One day we shall all be with Jesus.
And no one can ever take that status away from us.
I
recall a funeral years ago where these verses were read.
Following the service a gentleman, I did not know, took
me to task. The translation I used claimed that Jesus
has gone to prepare a room for each one of us. However,
in the King James Bible, the one the gentleman used
promised not a room but rather a mansion. “In my
Father's house are many mansions.” Obviously he was
looking for more than just a room but an entire
mansion. The promise that Jesus makes to us is that we
are part of God’s own family and as family members there
will be a place for each and every one of us in God’s
own house. The important thing to remember is that
Jesus promises there will be a place for each one of us.
The second promise that we stake our lives on is that
the way to God is through Jesus. Everyone longs to know
God. We know God through our relationship to and with
Jesus Christ. In the Upper Room after Jesus told his
disciples that there was a place for them and that he
would return for each one, Thomas one of the disciples
asked, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How
can we know the way?” Thomas along with the others was
confused and unsure. There is something admirable about
being so honest. Like us he wanted to make sure he was
standing on solid footing.
In
response Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
me.” The pathway to God is through Jesus. This is one
of Jesus’ great “I am” saying scattered throughout
John’s gospel where Jesus defines himself. Jesus is the
“bread of life,” the “light of the world,” “the gate”
“the good shepherd” “the resurrection and the life,”
“the vine” and in our passage today, “the way, and the
truth, and the life.” Jesus is the way to God.
Apparently this still was not clear to the disciples.
Another disciple, Philip asked, “show us the Father, and
we will be satisfied.” Jesus’ response shows some
disappointment on his part. “Have I been with you all
this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?” When
they looked to Jesus and saw the amazing things that he
did and would do they were in effect seeing God. Turn
to Jesus. Jesus is the way to God.
The last time Billy Graham spoke at
Harvard a large crowd of students gathered to hear him.
Many slept outside all night just to get a seat. The
next night Dr. Graham spoke at the Kennedy School of
Government. After his address he turned to the audience
for questions. One young believer stood and asked,
“Since Jesus said, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through me,’
doesn’t that mean people from other religions—Jews and
the rest—are going to hell?”
“I’m sure glad that God is the judge of people’s hearts
and not me!” Dr. Graham replied, “And I trust God to
decide those questions justly and mercifully.” The
student was disappointed with his answer so he pressed,
“What do you think God will decide?” To which Billy
Graham replied, “God doesn’t really ask my advice on
those matters.” This exchange prompted another student
to ask, “What about those who aren’t even
monotheists—like the Buddhists?” Dr. Graham replied,
“You know, I’ve been to some Buddhist countries, and so
many of the people I met seem to live more like Jesus
than too many Christians I’ve seen.” Billy Graham would
claim that Jesus is the Son of God without question but
he refused to join in Christian triumphalism. (1)
If
God’s love is truly unconditional then that divine love
cannot be limited only to Jesus’ followers.
The third and final promise in our lesson underscores
that we are here for a reason. We are Jesus’ modern day
disciples, here and now. We have the responsibility of
sharing our faith with others so that they too may
discover Jesus for themselves. We continue the ministry
that Jesus began. We are Jesus’ arms and legs in our
community. We care about people just as Jesus did. We
pay attention to the down and out, the poor and
oppressed, the sick and lonely, young and old, because
those people were important to Jesus. We speak words of
hope and encouragement to those who are discouraged.
Jesus assures the disciples and us, “the one who
believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in
fact, will do greater works than these, because I am
going to the Father.” We not only follow in Jesus
footsteps but we are expected to do even greater works
in his name. We are able to reach more people than ever
before with the gospel. We proceed knowing that not
everyone will respond to the gospel but some will.
With the coming of the Holy Spirit, the believers would
receive power. We today are empowered by the Holy
Spirit to do things that we would never have dream of
doing on our own. We have the power of the Holy Spirit
residing in each one of us. Following Easter and the
coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost the apostles
would travel into the entire world proclaiming the good
news of Jesus Christ. They would face all sorts of
challenges. They would face opposition and even
persecution. It would not always be easy, but they were
given the strength to endure knowing that the Spirit was
present with them and that they abide with Jesus.
Nothing would stop them. The disciples only became the
mighty apostles because of the gift of the Holy Spirit.
We
too have that same power. We need not live timid lives
but rather step out boldly in faith knowing that when we
do we are never alone. This gives us great confidence
and assurance; nothing will be able to stop us. We can
live our faith on purpose. When we pray in Jesus’ name,
Jesus promises, “If in my name you ask me for anything,
I will do it.”
Ultimately nothing will stop the ministry of Jesus
Christ. The church continues today because of the
dedication and commitment of those who have gone before
us. The church will continue to thrive and grow when we
boldly witness to others about the love of God in and
through Jesus Christ.
Jesus promises us a permanent dwelling place. We are a
part of God’s own family and we will reside in God’s own
house. Jesus provides us the way to God. Jesus is the
way. And finally, we are here for a reason. Much is
expected of us as we live out our faith in Jesus’
name. We can live our lives with these great
assurances knowing that we belong to God through Jesus
Christ.
Amen.
1. The Great
Awakening, Jim Wallis, New York: HarperOne, 2008.
pp.182-183
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