Sermon Tone Analysis
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Do you have a will?
I hear that question almost weekly on several of the podcasts and radio programs that I listen to.
You’d think the constant reminder would motivate me to get mine updated - but I seem to start the update and then get paused.
Nobody really likes to talk about our end or our departure - even though it’s inevitable.
Unless Jesus returns before we breathe our final breaths, death will come to all of us.
I don’t mean to be depressing.
It’s just reality.
And yet there is something that is comforting and reassuring in knowing that death will come - it’s a sure thing.
Because it’s a sure thing, we get to prepare for it.
We also get to prepare our loved ones for it.
Now, we may not have any idea when, but we do know that death will come.
There are times when people have an idea that death is on the horizon.
People who’ve suffered with chronic or terminal illness know that their time is short.
My step-dad died about 8 years ago after a long battle with cancer.
In the final months of his life, he worked diligently to prepare my mom for his passing.
They sold some things, replaced other things, fixed things and more.
He even set aside a specific folder which contained all of the necessary documents that my mom would need after he passed - his will, their trust, account information, and so much more.
It was an act of love that brought some semblance of reassurance and comfort in a difficult time for my mom.
As we dive back into our study of the book of John, we get to observe Jesus preparing his disciples for his departure.
Open your Bibles to John 14.
While our focus text for today is John 14:1-14, we are going to consider a few other verses before and after this section.
Normally, we’d have verses and points on the screens and an outline in your bulletin, but today, we’re going to do things a bit differently.
Please feel free to take notes as you feel led, but do refer to your bibles or the pew bibles (p.
763).
Context
the night before Jesus was crucified
Jesus had just washed the disciples feet
He had also uncovered the soon coming betrayal of Judas and the denial of Jesus
over dinner Jesus shared an extended farewell discourse - we could call this his last will and testament as he discusses
what the disciples can expect in the near future
Jesus’ expectations of the disciples
and what the disciples will receive from Jesus.
It seems that his soon coming departure was troubling the disciples
Today - we’ll really just cover some introductory comments from Jesus.
We’ll begin with...
What the disciples can expect
In many ways, a will today would include some comments about what to expect - what the coming weeks and months might hold.
In this case Jesus essentially shares that...
Jesus is leaving (13:33; 14:2)
- It is a little bit unclear if Jesus is referring to his death or his ascension.
But he goes on the tell them why he is leaving...
to prepare a place for his people
- there is a lot of speculation about what this might mean.
Is he preparing rooms?
Is he preparing mansions?
It’s easy to read this verse at funerals and with our American western eyes/minds (especially if we read the KJV which refers to mansions) and think about - well mansions.
We imagine grand habitations that would dwarf the greatest palaces here.
Yet the Greek word refers to “dwelling places.”
But let’s think briefly about this.
Jesus says there are already many rooms in the Father’s house - and yet Jesus is going to prepare a place for his disciples.
Does that mean he is going and choosing furniture and fixtures, making the beds like a house-keeper?
Maybe?
Is he pulling contracts and permits in order to outfit the Father’s house?
Has he then been working for the last 2000 years on these rooms?
Wow - some rooms those must be!
Frankly - I don’t think so.
This sort of begs the question:
How does this preparation happen?
-
Through the cross.
When we reflect on the holiness of God - he is so distinct, so perfect, so pure - he is altogether different than we are.
So much so that in the OT tabernacle and temple - they had a unique room that was set apart to illustrate the complete holiness and otherness of God.
Entrance was restricted.
On the day that Jesus was crucified, when he died on the cross, the gospel of Matthew tells us that the veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51).
It seems that when Jesus died - the dwelling places were prepared - it is finished!
Jesus continues his discourse with his disciples and says: John 14:4 “And you know the way to where I am going.””
- to which Thomas replies:
To which Jesus replies
It seems Thomas was looking for a destination - not a person.
He was looking for a map or way of living, not a person.
Jesus is the destination, map, the path to eternal life with the Father.
How does that settle with you?
Are you looking forward to heaven for the stuff that we imagine might be there or for the savior who made a way to bring you?
This week, we chorus “Christ is enough” has been running through my mind.
I learned about it at one of the MFI’ve camps.
The chorus essentially says
Christ is enough for me
Christ is enough for me
Everything I need is in you
Everything I need
So, let’s think about this in the sense of a will again.
If I spend my lifetime making arrangements for my family - getting life insurance, investments, documenting everything - the only way that they can get it is for me to go.
If I place the instructions in my will - they can’t have the resources or inheritance until I pass - which will be a sad day (I hope).
As soon as I’ve gone, the things are prepared (if I’ve written up the documents correctly) will be theirs.
In a sense, they can have me or the stuff, but with a will like that - they can’t necessarily have both.
It seems that ultimately, Jesus, in his sacrificial work on the cross, breaks the dividing line between us and God so that we can have a relationship with Him.
In doing so, he prepares a place for us.
There is a dwelling with God.
Just as Jesus tabernacled or dwelled with us, so to, we will get to dwell with him!
Yet Jesus gives them a sense of hope because Jesus will go away - but..
Jesus will return (14:2) -
to bring them with him - so that they can dwell together -
It seems that Jesus point is that not only is there a place for us - made available through the cross, but that He is the reward and joy.
We will get to be with Him.
So, Jesus helps his disciples understand that he is going to prepare a place - but will return - which means that his death or his departure is not final.
In addition to letting his disciples know what to expect, Jesus shares...
Jesus’ expectations of His disciples
I’ve seen movies and read books about people placing odd and extravagant demands on those who will be receiving inheritances.
In a movie back in the 80s, one guy had to spend so many millions of dollars in a month and have nothing to show for it, in order to receive 10 times that amount.
Jesus - in a similar way - makes some commands or expectations of his disciples.
They are not as extravagant as Brewster’s millions.
In many ways, they are quite simple and yet challenging.
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