Scripture: John 14:1-14 (ESV)
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 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? 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. And you know the way to 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 had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do 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 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’? 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. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. 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. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”
As I write this, I have had somewhat of a big change happen in my life. I won’t bore you with the details, but suffice it to say, this change may have significant consequences for my life. And whenever we face a big change, like moving to a new place, starting a new job, or even losing someone you love, we get troubled in our hearts don’t we? We want the assurance that everything will be ok. I think that is what the disciples must have felt in this passage. Jesus has just told them that he is going away and that they can’t follow. I am pretty sure that they would have been confused as to what that meant, and probably felt troubled.
Jesus speaks directly into this: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” Notice he doesn’t pretend everything is easy. He knows His disciples are struggling, and he doesn’t dismiss their fear. But notice what he does do in their fear. He invites them to trust in God and trust in him. That is really where all our fears should go. When we are troubled, Jesus doesn’t promise to take away the trouble. Instead he lifts our eyes to himself and says “In the midst of this, look at me, trust me, believe in me”. He addresses the specific fear the disciples had by telling them that he is going to prepare a way for them. Jesus wants his disciples to know that, even now, when everything felt unsure, they can trust in him and what he is doing. He’s got a plan and he is making sure the plan comes to fruition.
Thomas, ever the practical one, raises the question that everyone is probably thinking: “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” And Jesus gives an answer that is probably one of the most profound statements in all of Scripture: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus doesn’t give directions, he is the direction. He doesn’t point them to the truth, he is the truth. He doesn’t offer them a good life, he says he is life itself. Everything they need, is and forever will be found in him. This is true of us too friends. No matter how troubled we are, if we have Jesus we have everything we need.
But that is not prosperity gospel. Jesus doesn’t promise to give us everything we think we need. He promises to be everything we actually need. Don’t you see? This is a much deeper reality, a much more solid foundation than “Come to Jesus and he will give you health, wealth and prosperity.” Instead we have a foundation we can build our lives on that says “Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.”
Despite everything happening in your life, if you are a believer in Jesus, then it is well with your soul. And that is a pretty special place to be.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you that you have made it well with my soul. Help me to live as if that is truly true, even if I don’t quite yet see what you are doing in my life. Amen.
Spiritual Challenge:
Today, take time to bring your worries to Jesus. Tell him of your fears, then thank him for walking with you in them.
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