The Gospel
John 14:1-14
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever 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; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, 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. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
_ ---———---———---———---———---———--- _
There is a lot in this passage. And before getting into it all, let me just say it's nice to consider preaching this Gospel at some point other than a funeral!
This is a text that speaks pretty clearly to the uniqueness of Jesus. Some Christians love to throw that uniqueness around like a weapon. Jesus didn't intend this to be so. Jesus wishes to be a joyous invitation to life. So let's just be really clear in that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, apart from whom no one comes to the Father and to eternal life. But then let's trust Jesus enough to actually let him be the things we say he is, and share the comfort of these words.
This also shows us pretty clearly who Jesus is. When a complaint is registered about wanting to know God the Father, Jesus makes it clear. Jesus mirrors God's heart. He is as Thomas will say later "My Lord and My God." When we stand before Jesus, we are before God.
Jesus, as Lord and God, also comforts us with the assurance that we do not work alone. He promises to be at work in us, for our good and the good of others. This is a reminder we all need.
And then of course this text reminds us that there is more than meets the eyes, more than just this life. The kingdom begins here and now, but the fullness is yet to come. Jesus has gone before us to make preparations for us that we cannot begin to imagine as of yet. And yet there is comfort in knowing Jesus is in the midst of it all.
Father Tim+
No comments:
Post a Comment