John 14.1-3
Surprising News... the announcement of a new baby coming...
News of a visit from a dear relative or friend.
News of a windfall or inheritance.
Jesus had ministered for 3 1/2 years with these men. They had watched Him perform miracles, preach the Good News and just this week allow His followers to proclaim Him Mashiach, the Hebrew word for Messiah. They were waiting for Him to restore the Kingdom to Israel.
This evening nationalistic feelings (which were hard to distinguish from spiritual feelings) were running very high. They had just celebrated an age old rite of their people, the Passover. It was a celebration of their independence from Egypt, well much more than that- their deliverance from Egyptian slavery. This Passover was different, very different. They had heard things they never had heard, words like the ones the Master spoke that night while they ate.
All of a sudden Jesus began to talk about things that shook them up, about being betrayed, about them all leaving Him, about the days ahead. They were hit with news that night about their LORD that deeply troubled them.
This news Jesus gave was...
1. Sad News
I am going away. (John 16.5-6)
The thought of Jesus leaving them brought pain and sorrow to the hearts of the disciples.
Verse Six describes grief that is filled to the brim. Overwhelming.
How could He leave when all was going so well and they were ready for Him to establish the Kingdom in Jerusalem? Where was He going? What was this about?
I think the big thing here was that they just loved hanging out with Jesus much like we do. My friend Kim's comment: "I could sit here all day and enjoy the beauty God has created."
One of my favorite things is hanging out with the LORD. I love time alone with Him. It is the best part of my day. I also love hanging out with Christian friends.
They were already missing Him!... and He had not left.
It was going to get worse. He was not just leaving. He was going to die.
Worse yet! He was going to die a horrible death at the hands of His own people and the Romans!
The questions they had that were not satisfactorily answered. They had more questions as they talked. None of them were feeling peaceful, rather troubled.
When we receive sad news, heartbreaking news we ask, "Why?" It is certainly okay to ask that. David did, Jesus as well. But seldom if ever do we get answer from God. People come up with answers that are far from being satisfactory.
We need to listen to Jesus!
2. Glad News
I am coming back. John 14.3
He didn't say when.
If we have the assurance of seeing someone we love information of details is not necessary. I think of Mothers and Fathers who have sent sons and daughters to war, to defend our country.
I think of the missionaries who have gone overseas over the centuries and have not known when they will return. In the days before mass communication months would go by without loved ones hearing from them.
But these waited in hope. They waited for news. Letters or telegraphs would arrive telling of their return. What wonderful news!
Part of the glad tidings of the Gospel was that Jesus would come again.
The Good News today included in the LORD's Supper and God's Word, the Bible is that Jesus is returning one day soon.
This Hope does things for us.
1. It encourages us to continue.
If we know He is coming then we are motivated to go on. We will be on our watch.
Mark 13.32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
2. It has a purifying effect on the church.
on us!
I John 3. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
3. It prevents us from quitting.
When are tempted to "get away from it all" or throw in the towel when we think of Christ's return we look up, we go on, we keep running the race.
Hebrews 12.12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
4. It gives us a sense of urgency.
John 9.4 The night is coming when no man can work
3. Bad News
Those who do not know Him Sheep and Goats
Separation from God.
Outer Utter Darkness
Paul tells us that they live for themselves
Their god is their stomachs.
As Christians
How do we live?
I Thessalonians 4.18-5.11
Watching and Waiting
Working
Witnessing and Praying
Ready To Go in the Twinkling of an Eye!
Revelation 21.21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John,[a] saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
No comments:
Post a Comment