Where is the trust?

John 14:1-4

I just finished leading kindergarteners through a week of VBS adventures. It was awesome watching them worship Jesus. The word we focused on each day was TRUST, so it’s no surprise that trust is what we adults are focusing on as well.

When I read today's passage, I paused. Wait, something's missing. Where is it?

I went back and reviewed the previous daily readings. Again and again I saw “trust in the Lord,” “trust in him,” “trust in God.” But trust never appeared in the verses for today. I mean it's there in spirit, but it's not actually there on the page.

I wondered, why didn't I get the trust in the Lord line? I prayed, “God, what do want want me to take from this?”

And he responded,  “These four verses are not about trusting in me, but trusting yourself. Note, I didn't say trust IN yourself, but simply trust yourself.”

So I thought about that for a while.

I went back and read it again, underlining verses 1 and 4 – Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me… You know the way to the place where I am going.

This world is a scary place. The idea of a heavenly home brings me great comfort. With my limited imagination, I envision it's like living in a really fancy hotel where all your needs are met. Doesn't that sound amazing! But true to form, I panic. What if I show up and they don't have my reservation???

Then I hear him whisper… “Don't worry. You know the way. Trust yourself. Trust that your faith will lead you home.”

And I'm pretty sure my room won't overlook a parking lot.

John 14: 1-7

The Way

The Holy Trinity is such a mystery. Though we may believe, it is not possible for us to understand how it can be that three are in one. We generally think from an earthly, 3-D perspective, and have no concept of the heavenly realm.

Jesus attempts to comfort his disciples, just as God’s Word through the bible is here to bring us peace. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” John 14:1 Jesus goes on to tell them about preparing a place in his father's house and coming back for them so they will be where he is.

Thomas (the doubting one) inquired of Jesus when He told the disciples; “You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:4

Just as we would, Thomas was thinking of a pathway or road to get to the place Jesus referred to. Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” John 14:5

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7

As this story continues Philip also questions Jesus and asks to see the Father. Considering all the things the disciples saw and heard while in the company of Jesus, it’s hard to believe Jesus wasn’t a bit frustrated as he replied; “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9

Is belief in Jesus the only way to find salvation? Jesus’ answer is clear from this passage. Many may call Christians narrow-minded, yet as a true Christ follower there is only one passage way to the promise of eternal life. We lay down our doubt, and with faith we seek to understand something we likely will not be able to comprehend until we are no longer of this world.

By faith we believe that The Way of The Cross is the only way!

Sent? Yes. Alone? Never.

Some of the tensest moments in life are those “first solo flight” experiences when, for the first time, we’re on our own and “it’s all on us.”  Do you remember your first sales call?  What about the day you brought your firstborn home from the hospital?  Your public speaking debut?  Or maybe for you it literally was a solo flight!   Life’s “firsts” jolt us like unseen caffeine. 

It was the night before Jesus’ crucifixion; he was about to finish his Father’s work and return to him.  And it was time for the Christ to hand over the keys to his disciples.  Their turn to drive.  There would be no more learning at the feet of him who is wisdom and truth personified ... no more ringside seats to the greatest miracle show on earth ... gone now was their safe bystander status while Jesus took on the opposition, outwitting and confounding even the sharpest among them.

Can you even begin to imagine going solo after Jesus?  How do you pick up and move forward from that?!?  Yet there they would be, on their own.  Or so it must have seemed to them.

But we know different!  Jesus’ first followers would not be left alone any more than we who follow him today.  Rather, they who had walked with Christ by sight would now live in him by faith.  Just as we do now.  And so Jesus shared these final instructions – this “Trinity teaching” – not only for their benefit, but also for ours.

Obey the Son, as the Son has obeyed the Father.  Jesus said, “the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.”  The Son did not decide what he would do for the Father; the Father decided and the Son obeyed.  It's a model that applies to us.  Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.  My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” 

Listen for the Holy Spirit, who is sent by the Father and the Son.  In our own power, obeying Jesus’ commands is impossible.  We have neither the ability nor the inclination to do so.  But the Father and the Son have given us the means to accomplish them; we have been given the Holy Spirit who teaches us “all things” and reminds us of everything Jesus has taught.  And if we don't hear him?  Wait.  He will speak.

Rest in Christ who is faithful and true.  Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you....  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  We can rest – we can be at peace – because the truth of the matter is, we’re not on our own at all.  Much the opposite!  The Christ who once walked with his people now lives in his people.  Our power is nothing short of the Spirit of Christ in us, and his Word is our authority.  His Kingdom has come, and it is within us.

So let’s go.  Obediently.  Patiently.  Peacefully.  And boldly!  For we are ever sent ... and never alone.

[Click here to see the daily reading in John 14:23-31.]

Never abadoned

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18

I was seven years old when my father died. My brother was nine and my sister was about to turn three. You can imagine the devastation of losing our father who we loved so much; picture, also, my mother overwhelmed by a future of raising three children well, alone.

It was not too long afterward that someone shared with Mom Psalm 68:5, which reads, “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling.” Though I didn’t know it until many years later, she clung to that promise from that time, on.

What I did know, however, was that, at critical times along the way, God always sent a father-figure into my life. At times, it was an uncle, a pastor and even my brother who courageously blazed trails ahead of me. A gym teacher (a former Marine drill instructor), an executive who took me under his wing, my father-in-law. These men and others instructed me in the ways of the world and in the ways of God. They taught me how to build things and repair things; in them, I saw character, confidence, faith and strength. God never left me alone; he always sent someone to counsel, shape, teach, encourage or lead me ... and always for a purpose.

Knowing he was about to be betrayed, crucified and leaving this earth, Jesus – this same God, now in human form – assured his disciples: “I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you.” He promised that his Holy Spirit would not only live with them, but, greater still, he would be in them. He gave his assurance that the Spirit would teach, remind, convict, guide and be with them, forever.

And always for a purpose! Three times in today’s brief text (John 14:15-24), Jesus established this foundation – this context – for sending his Spirit: If you love me, you will obey my command; who obeys my command, he is the one who loves me. Just as Jesus did exactly what his Father commanded (John 14:31), so we are called to do as Jesus commands (John 14:15, 21, 23). On our own, as if orphaned, we would be helpless to hear his call, much less obey it. But with Christ living in us through his Holy Spirit, we can do whatever he calls us to do. Ours is simply to obey, and he will  accomplish his work through us. For as he said, “On that day, you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (John 14:20).”

God cares. He really cares. We are never abandoned, never alone, never orphaned.

Instead, Jesus comes to us. He calls us ... he chooses us ... he fills us ... even to the point of accomplishing his loving will and miraculous work through us.

What an honor! What comfort! What joy!

John 14: 1-7, 32-29

Heaven

John 14 contains all the reminders we need. It holds comfort, guidance, truth and the promise of salvation in the words of Jesus.

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my house there are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may be where I am.”

Jesus the Way to The Father

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

“The Counselor, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”

“I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

“You heard me say I am going away and am coming back to you. If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.”

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Each of these verses deserves a separate blog entry, for the power within them is immense. They do however, speak for themselves. I feel honored to be able to share so many powerful words of Jesus on one page.

Recently I attended the funeral of a friend's mother. The experiences reminded me of the grief I felt when I lost my parents, brother, and oldest son. Though the sorrow was at times overwhelming, I felt a peace knowing they were resting in the arms of God. I long for others to feel that sense of love and peace that comes only from knowing of, and trusting in these promises of the Lord delivered through Jesus.

Read/Listen to John 14