THERE IS ANSWER IN JESUS
(JOHN 14:1-14)
by Pastor Stephen Manurufng Lemah Putro, Sunday, August 30, 2020
Shalom,
We must admit that we are facing difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic; however, the Lord continues doing extraordinary things to look after and be with us so that we can end this month of August and enter September soon. Even in fact, we still have the opportunity to worship the living God – the Lord Jesus Christ – who has saved us. Therefore, we should worship and serve Him joyfully.
Today is the 22nd day that the excavation of the Kumitir site in Mojokerto was carried out in an effort to find the structure of the talud building – a place of worship of one of the kings of the Singosari Kingdom.
The East Java Cultural Heritage Conservation Center team (archaeologists, geologists, historians and from various scientific disciplines) wants to find answers about what happened in the past as well as its civilization to be a lesson for us today.
Doesn't the Bible also say that everything that was written earlier was written for our sake (Romans 15: 4)? Even if the building is reconstructed later, it is impossible to be 100% identical to the original building.
Money and education may be able to answer questions about things that have happened in this world but our following the Lord cannot be answered by science because our lives not only consist of physical aspects but also spiritual. Jesus' answers are complete regarding the past, present and the future until He comes again.
What kind of answer is there in Jesus according to John 14: 1-14?
- There is an answer to anxiety (vv. 1-3)
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
It is evident that Jesus answered the disciples' (and our) anxiety. Take note that anxiety should not be taken lightly; that’s why Jesus paid serious attention to this matter.
There are several factors (medical, social, economic, psychological, etc.) that trigger anxiety. However, the anxiety which the disciples experienced was not caused by secondary factors because everyone will face economic, health, social problems and so on, which cannot be avoided.
What was the trigger for anxiety that was considered primary by Jesus that He tried to calm the disciples (including us) so that they were not troubled but believed? It turned out that it was not because of the dwindling money supply or the worsening illness but because of disbelief.
"Do not be troubled" is not just a warning for anticipating an anxious condition, but Jesus saw clearly that anxiety had overwhelmed the disciples and it could be seen in their attitudes and actions.
How serious does anxiety impact our lives? At least our sleep is disturbed, no appetite etc, etc. and the worst thing is we can leave God. Therefore, do not underestimate the problem of restlessness.
Illustration: A few days ago it went viral on social media about queues for divorce suits in West Java. There are 592 divorce suits filed in court this August. The young clerk at the religious court told the journalist that the main reason why divorce occurred was due to anxiety, impatience in undergoing difficult conditions during the pandemic which also had an impact on the economy. It is possible that this case also happens to God's children.
The word “anxious” in Greek language is tarasso = anxiety that shakes and stirs up our hearts and minds that can destroy a relationship.
It seems that the disciples still needed to be taught to believe even though they had been following their teacher for three and a half years. Strange, isn't it, why did Jesus emphasize to them (including us) to believe, hadn’t they (and we) come and served Him? He wanted them (as well as us) to understand what "believe" meant and redefine it.
To what extent do they (and we) believe? The closer it is to Jesus going/ascending to Heaven, the more restless they are. It turns out that the definition of belief among the disciples (as well as us) is very identical to: visible, audible, touchable. Example: They (also us) believed after seeing Jesus did the miracles, hearing His voice, and also being with Him physically and so on.
It is very dangerous to have this kind of faith! The word of God clearly defines that faith is the basis of everything we hope for and evidence of things we do not see (Hebrews 11:10). Jesus had promised that if He left, He would still be the Immanuel for the disciples (also us) until the end.
It’s clear that Jesus' answer that can remove their anxiety (as well as us) is "believe in Him". Abraham, Isaac and Jacob proved their faith by living not dependent on worldly things; they were looking for the city that was built by God (Hebrews 11: 9-10). As their spiritual life continued to grow, God’s provision of physical matters would follow.
Application: Believing is not just a word but it must begin by saying "I believe". Honestly, it’s very easy for us to say the word "believe" but very difficult to do it. When our heart does not believe, our definition of belief is not final.
The challenge to believe should be answered with the word "Amen", not the other way around, that is complaining, by expressing our doubts, because of the difficult conditions we are experiencing. In fact, doubt and disbelief will actually make us lose – things that should be a blessing turn out to be completely useless when our faith is still on the level of visible, audible and touchable matters.
The disciples' unbelief triggered anxiety, because they felt hopeless when Jesus told them that He was going to leave them (John 13: 33,36). They were anxious when they imagined how their life would be without their Master any longer because they were used to living together, facing daily problems such as food and accommodation (John 14:3-4).
They used the principle of benefit in being with their Master. Jesus then convinced the disciples that He had provided a place to stay, to answer their anxieties about their future. Obviously, Heaven is not just a heavenly atmosphere but also shows the existence of a place so that they (and we) do not need to fight each other. The disciples' anxiety about physical matters was answered with spiritual assurance: a place in Heaven.
He wanted to overturn their logic that He did not promise a physical inheritance when He passed away but about a higher quality: Heaven. Honestly, don't we often sacrifice spiritual matters just for the sake of something physical? The truth is we should seek spiritual things first (the Kingdom of God) and everything will be added (Matthew 6:33).
At that time, Thomas and Philip represented their companions speaking to Jesus while Peter, who was usually spontaneous and open-mouthed, did not speak much anymore, because his heart was already feeling extremely restless. How could it be? We already know the previous story when Jesus said that one of His 12 disciples would hand Him over. He even described the characteristics of the perpetrator but none of them knew who he was (John 13: 21-28). Peter vehemently said that he was willing to die for Him (v. 37).
But what did Jesus answer? He asserted that before the cock crowed, Peter would deny Him three times (v. 38). Hearing Jesus' answer, the other disciples interpreted that Peter would be a traitor. You can imagine how Peter (senior among the disciples) felt when he heard Jesus spoke candidly in front of his junior colleagues! He must have been ashamed, felt hopeless and failed. Nevertheless, Jesus’ grace was so great that He counseled him not to get agitated for He had reserved a place for him.
Take note, the prophecy regarding Peter's denial was not God's predestination but was a pre- warning so that he would not deny Jesus. After Jesus' ascension to Heaven, Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to passionately preach the gospel of Christ, he even ended up dying on the cross with his head down, because he felt unworthy to die like his Teacher.
Lesson: Which of us has never failed? Don't go around saying that our failures and sins are God's plan. Don't focus on failure but there must be change and self-improvement, as a goal to be achieved! Remember, our failures do not stop God's love to help and restore us. Therefore, don't get discouraged and give up. His forgiveness is sufficient to forgive our failures.
It is evident that anxiety arises from man’s weaknesses and failure, but Jesus tried to prevent it.
- There is an answer to ignorance of Jesus (vv. 4-14).
Thomas said he didn't know where Jesus was going, so he didn't know the way there. Likewise, Philip did not know the Father even though he had lived with Jesus for three and a half years.
The word "do not know" in Greek has three meanings, namely:
-
- Ginosko = to know by
- Epiginosko = to know fully → to know clearly, associated with spiritual
- Oida = absolute knowledge → Jesus’ absolute knowledge of Peter. Peter admitted that Jesus knew all things (John 21:17).
Thomas and the other disciples did not know (= ouk ginosko) where Jesus was going → they had never had any experience or heard of it. They did not have the slightest idea, even though Jesus had repeatedly given the information or knowledge (ginosko) that He came from above, from the Father (John 8:23-47).
Didn't they already have experience with Jesus for three and a half years and also hear that He claimed to be the Good Shepherd, the Bread of life etc.? It turned out that based on experience, the disciples had no idea where Jesus would go. Jesus firmly replied that He Himself was the way to the Father (v. 6).
What is even worse is that they did not know their Master. Jesus said, "If you knew (ginosko = know by experience) I ..." (v. 7). So, during the three-and-a-half-year of living with Jesus, what relationship and knowledge did they experience with Him? Isn't it ironic?
Introspection: After so long or even decades of following God, do you know where will you go after you die? Have we known who God the Trinity is? What is the goal in following him? Is there a hidden intention: so that our life is nourished by Him? What life experiences have we had with Him?
Jesus' answer to Philip implies disappointment, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? (v. 9) Jesus' next statement is a meaningful prose in the way that a husband tries to convince his wife who – because of her weakness – begins to doubt her husband. "The husband" begins with a question "Don’t you believe Me ...or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves" (vv. 10-11).
Jesus further said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these …” (v.12) “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do…” (v.13).
Illustration: How does a husband feel when a wife suddenly says that she does not believe and does not recognize him, whereas they have been living together for years?
How blessed we are when we have Jesus, who is able to provide answers to every problem that has been, is and will occur. Not only that, He even guarantees our future and has prepared a place to live with Him. Therefore, know Him, not only as a sustainer of our physical life, but as God, the Owner of our life forever. Amen.
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