Can you remember how shocked and upset you where when you discovered that someone you respected and looked up to was leaving? A teacher you had become used to was leaving. A pastor you had respected was leaving. A boss you had enjoyed working under was leaving. A co-worker you had worked with for years was leaving. A friend you had known for years tells you that she is moving to another town. How did you feel when you found out they were leaving?
I can remember years ago when I was in the army during the Second World War we had a battalion commander named Colonel Pierce. Every man in the battalion respected and liked Colonel Pierce. But doing the invasion of Normandy beach, Colonel Pierce was injured by a land mine and could no longer lead the group. The battalion had been scattered for the invasion, but when all the companies found out than Colonel Pierce had been injured and would no longer be our colonel, a pallor of gloom seem to descend upon the entire outfit. Colonel Pierce had left us. I am sure most of us can remember such an experience.
If you can remember how you felt perhaps you have some idea of how the disciples felt in this 14th Chapter of John. What happened in the 14th Chapter of John takes place in the upper room where Jesus had his last supper with the disciples, washed their feet, and told them he was leaving and that where he was going they could not follow. What a disturbing revelation that must have been for the disciples! This Jesus whom they had come to love and respect. This Jesus who had taught them so many things. This Jesus who had walked with them and had become their best friend. This Jesus was leaving them.
We look at this from hindsight. We have the advantage of knowing what is going to happen. Have you ever noticed when you look at a movie or a picture on TV for the first time you may be nervous because you don’t know what is going to happen to the main characters of the story? Will they escape the danger that confronts them? Will they get through the situation unharmed? But when you look at the movie the second time and know how things turned out you can relax. You know how the situation was resolved.
We know the whole story of the passion of Jesus. We know how everything turned out. But the disciples were living through it then. They didn’t know how things were going to turn out. They didn’t know anything about a resurrection and all of that. They were going through the experience unaided by hindsight. They were experiencing events as they were unfolding at that time. Jesus had given them a new commandment to love one another. But I’m not really sure they could have comprehended the magnitude of that message. All they knew was that Jesus was leaving. That’s all they heard. Jesus is leaving. That statement resounded through their minds over and over again. Jesus is leaving. The Lord is leaving. The master is leaving us. That’s all their minds could handle at that time. Jesus is leaving. Did he say he was leaving?
They didn’t know all the implications of it. All they knew was that Jesus was leaving. Put yourself in their shoes for a moment. How would you have felt in a situation like that. We need to get to know the characters of the Bible and try to experience what they experienced. They lived over 2000 years ago, but human nature has not changed that much. They feel the same thing we feel. They experienced the same things we experienced. We need to get them off the pages of the Bible and into the real life of our hearts and feelings. These are real people going through real experiences, not too different from what we experience today.
But Jesus sensed their apprehension and anguish. So it is not surprising that he opens this 14th Chapter of John with one of the most beautiful and well-known expressions in the New Testament when he says, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” Let not your hearts be troubled. How many times has this passage been read, quoted, or preached about at a funeral or other sorrowful situation. Let not your heart be troubled. You still belong to God. Let not your heart be troubled. God is still in charge. Let not your heart be troubled. Believe that God will make a way. Let not your heart be troubled. God is still on the throne.
Jesus tells his disciples not to let their hearts be troubled. In the midst of the confusion and commotion of that hour there is still some good news. Jesus is leaving them, but he is not going way without leaving them with something. Jesus is going, but he is going to leave them something to remember him by.
When we lose a loved one we desire to hold on to something that will help us remember that person. We want to hold on to something as a memorial, something to remember that person by. It may be some kind of keepsake, a picture, a letter, a piece of jewelry, something which will remind us of the missing person. Some people have wills or property or some legacy they leave with their loved ones. Sometimes these legacies help ease the pain of their departure. We want something to cling to.
Some say we should turn our backs on the past. Don’t hang on to old memories and old objects and old reminders of the lost or missing loved one. But it is just natural to want something to cling to and to remember. Jesus knows the disciples need some reassurance to comfort them at this time. He knows they will need something to remember him by. They will need something to cling on to when he is gone. And if Jesus left something to the disciples when he left them, he also left the same to us.
What did Jesus leave to us when he left? In the first place he left us a PLACE TO ENJOY. Jesus talks about going to prepare a dwelling place for his disciples and for us. We are in the habit of thinking about this as heaven. We have heard so many sermons in this vein. And I have preached on this text many times during funerals. That is the eschatological dimension of this passage. And there is no denying that this is part of it, and probably the main thrust of these verses. Jesus is going to prepare us a place in heaven. He will return for us and take us to those mansions in the sky. We shall enjoy a place with God in heaven. This is a great source of comfort in a time of sorrow and grief.
But at the same time there is another dimension to this idea of place. Place carries with it the idea of abiding. There is a suggestion here, and I think it is very appropriate, to think of this place as the presence of God in the worshipping community. Deuteronomy speaks of place in connection with the name. The place of the name is where God is. The place is wherever the name of God is. God abides with us as we worship him here and now. We enjoy the presence of God in the worship experience. Wherever we worship God is the place of his presence.
When we come to worship God we come to enjoy his presence in this place. In the place of worship we experience the presence of God. The place is more than just a physical location. Remember the woman at the well asking Jesus about the proper place of worship? The Samaritans believed God should be worshipped in Samaria, but the Jews believed the true worship of God should be in Jerusalem. Jesus told her that the time is coming when the true worshippers of God will worship him in spirit and in truth.
Wherever God is worshipped in spirit and in truth is the proper place. Wherever we worship God the right way, that is the place we can enjoy his presence. There are only so many more Sundays we can worship God in this place. This particular place is closing, shutting down. But God’s worship place is not closing. The enjoyment of worship is not limited to 50th and Aspen Street. 50th and Aspen Street is not the only place where the presence of God can be enjoyed. 50th and Aspen Street is not the only place to enjoy God.
Jesus left us a place to enjoy. But wherever the name of Jesus Christ is lifted up--- that’s the right place to be. The presence of God in the worship community is the place we can enjoy. It may be a cabin or a castle, but if the name of Jesus Christ is lifted up, it is the right place. It may be a prison or a palace, but if Jesus is worshipped in spirit and in truth, you can enjoy the place.
I know there haven’t been too many people in this place of worship at 50th and Aspen. But God is not hung up on numbers. Jesus said where two or three are gathered together in his name he would show up. In fact he says, “I’ll be there when you show up. I’ll be there before you show up. I’ll be waiting for you to show up.”
In this very place at 50th and Aspen we have enjoyed the presence of God each Sunday. In this very place we have enjoyed the fellowship of the Lord. In this very place we have enjoyed the Spirit of the Lord. In this very place we have enjoyed the peace of the Lord. In this very place we have enjoyed the hope of the Lord. In this very place we have enjoyed the love of the Lord. In this very place we have enjoyed the joy of the Lord. In this very place we enjoyed the strength of the Lord. In this very place we have enjoyed the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. In this very place we have enjoyed the fellowship of kindred minds which is like to that above. In this very place we have enjoyed pouring our ardent prayers, our fears, our hopes, our aims, before our Father’s throne.
We have enjoyed the worship of God in this very place. And when we must leave this very place it will give us inward pain, but we shall be joined in heart, and hope to meet again. But in some other place we shall again enjoy the presence of God. We must leave this place but we will never leave the presence of God. In his time and in his way he will lead us to another place where we may enjoy the presence and peace of God. Jesus left us a place to enjoy.
But secondly, Jesus left us a PATH TO ENSUE. Jesus said to the disciples that they knew the way to the place where he was going. But Thomas said, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus is saying that he has left us a path to ensue, a way to follow. Only by this path can we experience life to its fullest. I don’t know any verse in the Bible which is more controversial than this verse. We have heard people say over and over again that there are many paths to God. There is only one God, but many paths to Him. That sounds logical doesn’t it? That sounds reasonable, doesn’t it? But unfortunately, it is not Biblical.
Jesus says, “I am the way.” He does not say that he is a way. He says, “I am the way.” So what do we do with a verse like this? Jesus says I am the only path to get to God. You must come by me to get to God. How do we handle this verse as we confront other religions, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and others? Is this verse an embarrassment to us or do we embrace it?
Our denomination and our Presbytery in particular was embroiled in a controversy involving a Jewish-Christian church in the Plymouth Meeting Mall. The Presbytery was financially supporting this small congregation. The congregation was low key as far as its evangelistic efforts. But the congregation was there for Christian Jews or seekers who wanted to worship Christ in a more Jewish form of worship.
But some were appalled to think that we would ever finance such an endeavor. The great fear was that the church would seek to reach out and evangelize or influence Jews to come to Jesus Christ. For some people this would be a terrible thing. Their approach is that the Jews do not need evangelizing. They are God’s chosen people. They are alright as they are.
But how do we conform this approach with John 14:6 where Jesus says he is the only way to the Father? Jesus did not constrict this statement. He did not say that he was the way for the Jews. He did not say that he was the way for the Gentiles. He said I am the way, period. What do you do when there is such a contradiction between what Jesus said and what most people believe today? I must confess that I don’t know. I believe the word of God. I believe what Jesus said in this verse that he is the only way to the Father.
But there are so many things we do not know about God. We cannot limit the grace of God. We don’t know everything. Only God does. That’s why we need faith. According to the Bible, which I believe is true, Jesus is the only way. But we can never put God in a box. Do you know how I look at it?
My wife and I took a ride to Atlantic City last Monday. My grandmother used to live in Atlantic City. I wanted to show my wife where my grandmother lived. Atlantic City has changed since the last time I was there some 20 years ago. But now Atlantic City rivals Los Vegas as the gambling capital of America. Everything is geared toward the gamblers and the casinos. Very few people come to Atlantic City unless they want to bet, unless they have caught the gambling fever. I don’t believe in gambling. I don’t believe in trying to get something for nothing. Instead of gambling, I believe in trusting the Lord for my increase.
But the thing about gambling apart from that, is that very seldom does the gambler win. He might win if he quits before it is too late. But sooner or later the gambler is going to lose. Everything is stacked against the gambler. The casinos are going to win in the end. The casinos wouldn’t be in business if they expected to lose. You can never beat the house in the long run. Sooner or later the house, the casino, is going to win. The casinos wouldn’t invest all that money in buildings if they expected to lose. They expect to win, and they will win in the end.
I look at this controversy revolving around Jesus being the only way to God in the same way. You may bet that Jesus is wrong, that he is not the only way to God. I may bet that Jesus is right, that he is the only way to God. The bet cannot be settled until we die. Then we will know who has won.
But let me say this. The house is stacked against those who say Jesus is not the only way. The odds are against those who deny that Jesus is the only way to God. The Bible says in John 14:6 that Jesus is the only way to God. Then in case there was any question about it, Jesus says that no one can come to the Father except through him. I don’t know how it could be any planer than that.
But the debate has not been settled yet. The bet is still up there. But you know what? I like my odds. I’d rather bet on what Jesus said, wouldn’t you? The odds are in my favor. Maybe there is another way. Maybe the grace of God will provide another way for those who deny Jesus as the way. I don’t know. I don’t dare to say what God won’t do or can’t do. I don’t know. I don’t dictate to God. God is still God. God can save anybody anyway anytime. I’m not one of these preachers who says God won’t do this and the other. How do I know what God will or won’t do? But I know whatever God does is right. I am not God. I don’t know everything about God. But I’m betting on what the Bible says. I’d rather be on my side of the bet. I may be wrong in the final analysis. Maybe Jesus is not the only way.
But in the meantime, I haven’t lost anything. I’ve walked with Jesus here and now. I know he is the lily of the valley and the bright and morning star. I know he is a bridge over troubled water. I know he is a very present help in time of trouble. I know he is a rock in a weary land and a shelter in the time of storm. I have experienced Jesus for myself. So what if he is not the only way to God? I am in a win-win situation. I have gone the Jesus way and things are alright with me.
But if someone else has bet the other way that Jesus is not the only way to God, and you find out that he is the only way after all, you have lost everything. You are on your way to an eternity without Christ. Either way I can’t lose but if you lose, if you find out that Christ is the only way to God, you have lost everything. I like my odds. I’m going to believe what Jesus said until I find out differently. I’d rather be in the shoes of those who believe Jesus is the only way to God than in the shoes of those who do not believe he is the only way. The odds are too great for me.
Jesus left us a path to ensue. He invites us to follow him. Jesus is not only the way, but he is the truth and the life. A man named Thomas a Kempis has said, “Without the way there is no going; without the truth there is no knowing; without the life there is no living.” He goes on to say that Jesus is the way that we must follow; he is the truth which we must believe, and he is the life for which we must hope. If we remain in the Jesus way we shall know the truth, and the truth shall make us free, and we shall lay hold of eternal life. Jesus left us a path to ensue.
I don’t know about you, but I have decided to follow Jesus. “ I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back. The world behind me the cross before me. No turning back. Though none go with me I still will follow. Though none go with me I still will follow. No turning back, no turning back.” “Where he leads me I will follow. I’ll go with him all the way. I can hear my Saviour calling. I can hear my Saviour calling. I can hear my Saviour calling. I’ll go with Him all the way.” You can’t go wrong if you travel the Jesus path. He will never lead you astray. Follow Jesus and you shall be alright.
But finally Jesus left us a POWER TO EMPLOY. He left us a place to enjoy, a path to ensue, and a power to employ. Jesus told his disciples an amazing thing in verse 12. He said that those who believe in him will do greater works than Jesus did. “Because I am going away,” says Jesus, “you will do greater works than I did.” How could anyone do greater works than Jesus? We saw how he changed to water into wine. We saw how he multiplied the loaves and fishes. We saw how he opened the eyes of the blind. We saw how he caused to deaf to hear and the lame to walk. We saw how he calmed the waters and the winds of the sea. We saw how he raised Lazarus from the dead. How could anyone do greater works than Jesus?
But the disciples did do greater works than Jesus. Very few people followed Jesus while he was here on earth. Even Jesus in the flesh could only be in one place at a time. But the disciples and those who followed carried the gospel around the world. Thousands were saved when Peter and Paul preached. Millions have been saved down through the years. Although we may have problems with the Roman Catholic church, we have seen in the past few weeks to power of the Christian church. The Pope is the leader of a billion people on earth. Then think of all the millions and millions of Protestants and others who name the name of Christ. We have done greater works than Jesus did.
Despite of all the faults and fallacies of the church, despite its failures and problems, Jesus was right when he said the gates of hell could not prevail against his church. Not only did Jesus say we would do greater works than he did but he says in verse 13 that he would do whatever we asked in his name, so the Father would be glorified. And in verse 14 he says he would do whatever we asked him. Jesus left us plenty of power to employ. We haven’t begun to use all the power available to us.
Can you imagine the power of prayer in Jesus name? We have an 8 cylinder God and we are operating on 2 cylinders. We have handicapped ourselves. It’s like trying to run a race with one leg tied behind us. It’s like the 76ers playing Detroit with Allen Iverson on the bench. Who would enter any kind of contest with your most powerful force on the sidelines? Yet we tackle the tremendous events and experiences of life with our most powerful force unused. We have failed to employ God’s power in our lives.
What if we took Jesus seriously about this? Of course we have to read between the lines. We know that God will only give us those things which are according to his will. God will not lavish outlandish things upon us to satisfy our greed and selfish desires.
But if we only asked God for things we know are according to His will, what a change it would make in our lives. We know God wants us to be more loving. What if we asked God to help us love as he loved? What if we asked God to help us love so that everybody would know that we were Christians by our love? Can you imagine how strong the church would be if we had love like that?
Or we know it is God’s will for us to be more spiritual, to be more like Jesus. What if we asked God to help us grow stronger spiritually? What if we prayed for God to help us be more like Jesus? Can you imagine what the church would be like with all those spiritual giants walking around?
We have not even begun to use all the power available to us. We need to turn the power on. We need to stop trying to be gods ourselves. We wear ourselves out trying to be smarter, bigger, stronger, the center of attention. We can’t do it ourselves. We are not god.
As John the Baptist said, we must decrease so he can increase. God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. God can do anything but fail. There are some things we can do for ourselves. But we try to do too much by ourselves. But when the going gets tough, when the hills are hard to climb, when the road gets rough and rocky, when the tunnel has no ending, turn the power on and let God do his thing. God is able to do what we cannot do for ourselves.
We cannot employ the power of God while we attempt to do everything on our own. We need to let go and let God do his thing. A man named Louie Giglio has written a book expressing this idea. If I could paraphrase the title it would be, “I am not, but I know who is.” God is all the things we are not. We waste time trying to be God.
I don’t have all the knowledge and wisdom, but I know who does. I don’t have all the strength and power, but I know who does. I don’t have the ability to make things all right, but I know who does. I don’t have what it takes to go through the hard times in life, but I know who does.
Life will be much better when we let God do his thing. God is all the things we are not. Let us use the power God has stored up for us. Why go into life’s battles with our greatest force on the sidelines. God says to us, “You’ve been trying to do too many things are your own. Let me take over.”
God is like the relief pitcher who comes in from the bull pen and tells the starting pitcher that he will take over now. God is like the anchor runner on the relay team who takes the baton from the previous runner and says “I’ll finish the race.” God is like the worker who comes in on the midnight shift and tells the day worker to go on home now because he will take over. We need to employ the power of God in our lives.
Stop trying to be God. Stop trying to fix everything ourselves. If it is not broken, don’t fix it. But if it is broken, let God fix it for you. Turn the power on. God specializes in things thought impossible. He can do what no other one can do. When the rough times comes, turn God’s power loose in your life. We need to stop trying to fix things ourselves. We have tried and made a mess out of it. We need to employ the power of God and let Jesus fix it for us.
“Let Jesus fix it for you. He knows just what to do. Whenever you pray let Him have his way. And he will fix it for you.”
Yes, Jesus has left us, but he left us with a PLACE TO ENJOY, a PATH TO ENSUE, and a POWER TO EMPLOY.
