I Am The Way, And The Truth, And The Life Series

I am the Way, Truth, and the Life

John 12:12-36, 13:31-14:4, 14:5-7, 14:8-14

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

I recently adopted a kitten, and although my wife and I felt an instant attachment to the young feline, I couldn’t help but imagine how difficult the experience of going to a new home would be for her. While she enjoyed being held, the fast-moving images of telephone poles, the hustle and bustle of endless cars, and the scurry of strangers passing by the windows must have been strange and quite frightening. When we got home and I put her down on the floor, I noticed a remarkable transformation. As she explored the unknown reaches of her new environment, her fear was soon replaced with insatiable curiosity. Each step she took was cautious but led her into a space that quickly became familiar and comforting. The couch, which initially seemed large and scary, soon became a bouncy play toy of delight, and the large, Garfield-sized cat that was intimidating at first soon turned into a slow-moving playmate, perfect for tackling and running around with. Our kitten, whom we named Rosey, quickly came to know and love her new home.

Just as Rosey's fear gave way to curiosity and comfort, our journey as Christians mirrors her experience. We often find ourselves in unfamiliar and challenging situations, but we are called to trust in God's presence and guidance as we navigate this world, which is not our true home. “While life is filled with amazing and wonderful events, it is also fraught with trials, tribulations, and pitfalls that can shake us from our mountaintops of blessing and throw us into the deep valleys of anguish and despair. While some people thrive on experiencing the unknown, most of us are like Rosey, and our fear only dissipates with a full understanding of the new environment we are about to enter. Yet, as royal priests and ambassadors of the Most High God, are we not called to stand upon the rock of our salvation and fear no evil, for God is always with us? To obey the Lord’s command, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me,” requires us to venture into the unknown with confidence that our Shepherd will lead, guide, and protect us for His name’s sake. Jesus made this statement to the disciples as they faced their unknown futures in the wake of His impending crucifixion.

The Unknown

Handling a major life-changing event that raises more questions than answers can be daunting and unsettling. When the disciples heard Jesus declare, “the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified,” signifying that He would soon depart, and they could not follow Him (John 13:31-33); it must have struck them with profound fear and confusion. The One they believed had come to overthrow Rome and had legions of angels at His disposal (Matthew 26:53) was facing an impending and unjust crucifixion. They had abandoned everything to follow Him (Matthew 19:27), and now their aspirations of serving with Him in His kingdom were in jeopardy. The fear of being rejected and persecuted, as Jesus had warned, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19), loomed large in their confused and frightened minds. Questions about their future mission arose: without Christ, could they still exercise the authority to drive out impure spirits and heal diseases (Matthew 10:1) and fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19)? Let’s explore how three of the disciples handled the unknown ramifications of the cross, starting with Peter.

Peter: Where are you going?

As Rosey looked out the window of my car, she was filled with anxiety because she did not know where she was going. Similarly, Peter asked Christ the same question. The confusion, anguish, and fear of the future that Peter experienced would only dissipate through exploration and knowledge. The dynamics of their relationship were about to change, and Peter insisted on exploring every aspect of this new reality with his Savior. Although Peter claimed he was ready to lay down his life to follow his Savior, Christ predicted Peter's denial, highlighting his fear of the unknown (John 13:36-38). The true significance of the cross would be revealed to the disciples only after being indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Only the sinless Lamb of God could atone for sin, satisfying God's righteous wrath. Christ's departure was necessary to prepare a place for them with the Father, and He would send the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide them (John 15:26-16:15). The new communities they were to create would have Christ as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20-22) and would be defined by love. Since they did not know all of this before His death and resurrection, the antidote to their current doubt and fear was to trust in Him (John 14:1). Despite not knowing everything, they were to trust the Good Shepherd that “all things work for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). Now let’s look at how Thomas handled the unknown future he faced after the cross.