"I Will Come Back and Take You to Be with Me"

In John 14:3 we hear Jesus tell His followers, "...if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me..." Two thoughts: First, Jesus is coming back. He could come back years from now or before you finish reading these words. We are not told exactly when this will occur only that we are to be prepared when He does. At His return He is to find us busy serving Him. Are you actively serving? Second, should we die before His return (the reality for most of us, perhaps), I am convinced that His promise to come and take us still stands. Sadly, as a pastor, I see more people in their dying days than I'd like. With each passing saint, I become more convinced that Jesus meets those who are His own as they pass from this life to their eternal home with God. A brief example will help illustrate what I'm saying: Manuel was a young man several of us met in El Salvador. With physical and mental limitations, Manuel spent his life in the dark and dirty confines of his home along the abandoned railroad tracks near Santa Ana. He was cared for by his aging grandmother who spent her time trying to find food for her and Manuel. As you consider how difficult it would be to live such a life, remember that this is also the situation in which Manuel recently died. No sterile hospital bed with trained medical staff. Just Manuel, his gradmother, and... Jesus. Manuel had heard the gospel - that Jesus loved Him and had died in His place on the cross. And I believe that Manuel accepted Jesus' offer of forgiveness and peace with God. I believe this because I'm told that as he passed away, Manuel raised his hands, his eyes, his voice, and his hopes to Heaven and called out "Senor" as if Jesus Himself had come to take him home. I believe that is exactly what happened. True to His word, Jesus came back to take Manuel with Him - to be where He is. This is the same hope that we have in Christ. From Grace, George

If It Were Not So...

Today a simple thought from John 14:2. After encouraging His disciples as they prepare to face His departure, Jesus tells them, "If it were not so, I would have told you." As I type these words, our nations is hearing from a multitude of politician and commenators telling us many different things about proposed Health Care reforms. I won't to pretend to know all the answers but I do know this - they cannot all be telling us the truth. Some must be either misled or misleading. All, I fear, are trying to tell us what they think we want to hear or what they believe will lead us to agree (or at least accept) with them. Jesus was not a politician! He was never misled (he knew all things) and He never misled. When He says that He is going to prepare a place for us and that He is coming back to take us there so that we can be with Him - He's telling us the truth. If it were not so, He would have told us. On this particular day, I find this tremendously refreshing. Don't you? From Grace, George

There's No Place Like Home

I'm sitting in my den enjoying the beauty of a late-season snow. The falling snow and the white blanket outside my window offer a pretty picture but I'm happy to be sitting inside right now. In John 14:2, Jesus promises those who trust in Him all the comforts of home. He says, "In my Father's house are many rooms." To His followers, who are anxious about His departure, this would come as welcome news. Perhaps you, too, are anxious and could use a reminder of what Christ offers those who place their trust in Him. As we explore a few of these realities of our future home, think about how you feel (or long to feel) when you settle down in your home. Home means security: I feel safe at home. I don't worry about the unknown. In our eternal home we'll feel safe and secure. Home means provision: At home I can grab clothes out of my closet, food out of my fridge or tools out of my shed. I can find books on my shelves and water from my faucet. In Heaven we'll have everything we need for life and joy. Home means permanence: Unlike a hotel room, I won't live out of a suitcase. I'll will be able to settle down and settle in. And I'll never have to worry about mortage payments (or foreclosures)because Jesus has paid it off in full. That is one part of what it means when He said, "I am going to prepare a place for you." (v. 2) Home means peace: There's something nice about just sinking in to my couch and enjoying the peace of being home. Sometimes it's not peace and quiet (like right now), but it's peace nonetheless. We'll have eternal peace with God and peace with others in our future home. Home means rest: I come home at the end of the day when I'm done working. In Heaven we'll have things to do but the toil of work here will be over. We'll be serving our King out of love. Home means family: Those I love the most are here with me at home. This, too, is a gracious glimpse of our eternal home. We'll be surrounded by those we love and those who love us. Home means being with Jesus: This is the best part of what Jesus told His disciples in John 14. He told them (and us), "I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (v. 3) We'll be forever in the prsence of our Savior! Not only is this the greatest blessing of Heaven, it's what Jesus wants. He longs to live in intimate relationship with us and He offers that to those who trust in Him. From Grace, George.

Preemptive Peace

Returning to John 14:1-4, let's see three more truths from this conversation between Jesus and his troubled disciples. Remember, Jesus was troubled Himself (see John 12:27) but He was more concerned about those He loved than in focusing on Himself. Here's what I see: Jesus Anticipates our Troubled Hearts: Jesus knows what is abou to happen and that it will bring great distress to His followers (see previous post: Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled). But He doesn't wait until everything falls apart before He seeks to prepare them for the difficultes to come. I believe it's the same with us. Jesus invites us to spend time with Him in prayer and in His Word today so that we will be better able to trust in Him when trials come. Too often I find myself wondering why God isn't speaking to me in a tough time. More often than not He has spoken to me (or would have had I listened) in the past. Let's remember to pay attention to God today for we may need His Word to us today tomorrow. Jesus Addressed our Troubled Hearts: Jesus doesn't avoid their troubled hearts. He knows what they are worried about - and He knows what you are worried about, too! Christ notices your troubled heart even if others don't. Matthew Henry puts it this way, "Jesus sees the wounds that bleed inwardly." Do you have 'internal bleeding'? Those are the wounds that can be deadly if not addressed. Won't you take them to the Great Physician for healing today? Jesus Answers our Troubled Hearts: Jesus offers what no one else can - a real solution to our real problems. Others may be able to listen to our troubles and even suggest remedies. But only peace with God will bring true peace on earth. His answer to our troubles is that He has gone to the cross for us and has gone ahead of us to the grave. He has also gone to prepare a place for us (a topic for another post). Do you have the answer for your troubled heart - Jesus? I hope these truths are as encouraging to you as they are to me. From Grace.

Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

In John 14, Jesus comforts his disciples. I'd like to pick apart His words over the next few posts. Verse 1a: Do not let your hearts be troubled...

First notice that we appear to have a choice. Jesus is telling us that we are not the let our hearts be troubled. I sometimes forget that I have a choice in how I respond to the world around me (and the world within me). This is much more than self-talk, however. Jesus will go on to say that trusting in God and in Him is the key to avoiding a troubled heart. A trusting heart or a troubled heart - what's your choice today?

Secondly, remember that you are responsible for your hearts. Even if those around us are troubled, we must tend to our own heart. Regardless of what bothers others, I can have an untroubled heart.

Next, we are to focus on our hearts, not our circumstances. A heart that trusts in Christ is anchored even in the stormiest sea.

Finally, don't let your heart be troubled. This is a strong term meaning stirred-up, anxious, or aggitated. It's worth noting that Jesus was troubled Himself at the impending suffering (see John 12:27). As He is apt to do, Jesus puts His trouble aside to help us in ours.

Why might the disciples' hearts be troubled? I believe it was a combination of several things:

Disappointments: Jesus was letting them know that things weren't all they had hoped. He was not, at that time, going to usher in the kingdom of God. They were not going to be ruling with Him here and now. They would have to wait. We also get disappointed when we realize that things aren't always going to work out as we'd like. If you are disappointed today in God's current plan for your life - do not let your heart be troubled.

Detractors: Judas had just been dismissed from their presence. He was on his way to betray Jesus. Do you sometimes become troubled when others work against God? Does it sometimes seem as if you're the only one trying to honor Him? Do not let your heart be troubled.

Denials: Jesus had just been informed that, despite his zeal, he would deny His Lord three times. Like us, he was unable to live out his desire to follow Jesus even to the cross. Have you denied Christ in your words or in your walk? Do not let your heart be troubled.

Difficulties: Soon, the disciples would find themselves scattered and confused. They would be persecuted and ridiculed. When your service to the Lord becomes difficult - do not let your heart be troubled.

Deserted: Jesus would be leaving them soon. They had given three years of their life following Him and now He tells that that He would be leaving them alone. They did not yet understand that He must go in order to prepare a place for them and that He would send His Holy Spirit back to encourage them. We, however, do know this - but we sometimes forget it. Does God seem to have deserted you? Does God seem distant? Do not let your heart be troubled.

Psalm 42:5 Why are you downcast, oh my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God...

From Grace, George

A New Command

After Judas left Jesus and the disciples, Jesus begins to reveal what was to come in greater detail (read John 13:31-38). He begins to describe what we might call "the end." We know, and so did He, that is was just the beginning. He would be glorified through the cross.

In fact, God would be glorified in Him. The cross magnifies the attributes of God that we love so much. It magnifies His love, His holiness, His justice, etc. Jesus knew this and "for the joy set before him endured the cross, scourning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb 12:2).

After telling His 'dear children' (v33) that He will be leaving them, Jesus then explains that, while His work is coming to an end, their (and our) work is just beginning. He says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (vv34-35).

Before we consider why this command is new, take a moment to think about how men know you are a disciple of Jesus Christ. Jesus calls us to a life of love - a different, new kind of love. He never says "wear a cross around your neck and Christian t-shirts" or "put a fish sticker on your car." He says that we are to be distinguished by this 'new' kind of love.

But why is this a 'new command?' After all, hadn't God already said that we are to love others? Leviticus 19:18 says that you are to 'love your neighbor as yourself." So how is Jesus saying anything new? Let me suggest three things about this new command:

First, we are to follow the Example of Christ. Jesus says in verse 34 for that we are to love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. Moses writes we are to love 'as ourselves' - Jesus says, "as I have love you." And how did Jesus love us? By laying down His life for us. By dying in our place. In a word, Jesus calls us to love 'sacrificially.' To help live out this kind of love ask yourself whether you are acting 'sacrificially' or 'selfishly.'

Secondly, we are to love our Enemies. This is certainly a 'new' way to love. In fact, Jesus said as much in Matthew 5:43-45a when He said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Sound familiar? Sound difficult? It does to me. Remember, though, that this is how Jesus loved us. Paul reminds us that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8). Also remember that we are not called to love like this from our own strength. We don't have this kind of love within us - unless we have the Holy Spirit in us.

Which brings us to our final thought; we are to be Empower by Christ. Before the departure of Christ and the sending of Holy Spirit, we did not have it within us to live this kind of love. This love is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) that finds its motivation and strength as we yield our life to the Spirit's leading.

Recently, I found myself asking God to give me the grace I needed to love someone who had upset me. I simply asked, "Lord, I need your help here because I really don't want to love right now." God is faithful, grace was given, and I believe I was able to honor God rather than defend myself.

By loving like this, may all men know that we are disciples of Jesus Christ and may God be glorified in us as He was in His Son.

Overcoming Three Barriers to Loving Service

In John 13:1-17 you'll find Jesus eating dinner with His disciples. In this passage I see three things that would tempt me to avoid serving others: Agendas: In verse 1 we see that Jesus 'knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father.' He could have easily had His mind on other, more important things (like I usually do). Instead of thinking about Himself, however, He proceded to 'show them the full extent of His love' by taking on the role of a menial servant and washing His followers' feet. Unlike me, His agenda was one of humble, loving service. Adversaries: Verse 2 tells us that 'the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot ... to betray Jesus.' That seems like an open invitation to skip Judas' feet as He made His way around the table. Can you imagine washing the feet of the person who would soon betray you with a kiss? Not me! But, again (and thankfully), that's not what we see Jesus do. Arrogance: Jesus, we read in verse 3, 'knew that the Father had put all things under His power.' I don't know about you, but that would seem to exclude me from such dirty work. I'd order someone else to do it. But that wasn't the way Jesus lived. He used His power to serve. I'm afraid we use our power to avoid such service. John records the challenging words of Jesus in verses 12-17: "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. So, how can you follow the example of your Savior today? Who can you serve even though you don't have time (agenda); even though they don't deserve it after what they've done (adversary); even though you don't have to (arrogance)? Jesus says you'll be blessed if you do this - do you believe Him?