Lent Day 32: Peace in uncertainty

In John 14, Jesus is giving his last instructions to the disciples. He knows he will suffer. He knows they are confused. He knows the pain ahead for them and for himself. Yet he says:

‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that 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 also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.’

> The disciples have questions. What Jesus is saying is confusing. Their master is leaving? He is preparing a place for them that they should know about? What is going on?
> Notice that Jesus does not say he is the destination. He is the journey, the way to God. He offers pure integrity - absolute truth - and eternal life to his followers.

Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’

Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.’

Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’

Jesus answered: ‘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. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

> Jesus' disciples need to understand that everything God wants done will be fulfilled. Jesus invites them to do what he has been doing - align with his Father's purposes and plans. Then God will give them whatever they need - whatever they ask of him.
'Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

‘If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you for ever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

> We can make many claims about serving God, about loving God, and about doing the will of God. Yet Jesus says everyone will know if that is true by one thing. Do we obey to the central commandment: "Love God, love others"? Is our life rooted in God's will or our own?

'Before long, the world will not see me any more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realise that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.’

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, ‘But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?’

Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 

'Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

‘All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, 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.

> Knowing what lies ahead that night and the next day, Jesus reassures them that his peace will be enough, no matter what he and they endure.
'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 I 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. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Come now; let us leave.'

> Jesus is ready for what lies ahead. Though the disciples are uncertain of what is coming, Jesus has told them to trust him.

> When you face uncertainty, chaos, and persecution, do you turn to Jesus? Is the Holy Spirit your guide and Comforter? 

> Is the peace of Christ enough for you?

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