The Way: Beginning
John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
I. Introduction
The cross closed the last chapter of Jesus’ earthly ministry. He taught His disciples many wonderful and eternal things, but no longer would He be with them in human form. Jesus’ death on the cross was the greatest victory of all. It was victory over death and anything that I can say or do will never make it more or less than that. Further, in keeping the cross in mind, we must remember two things. (1) In John 19:30, Jesus said, “It is finished.” What does that mean? It means when we put our faith in the finished work of the cross, we are no longer on the earthly side of the cross we are on the heavenly side. The key is the word ‘finished.’ When we put our faith in the ‘finished work’ of the cross, we ‘cross’ over to the heavenly side. The picture of the cross is a reminder of the death and suffering of Jesus. And, it should be that, a reminder of the death and suffering of Jesus. It was the only way. It was the only acceptable payment by the only begotten Son for the many sins of the people. (2) He is no longer hanging on the cross. He said it’s finished! Yet, we continue to hang onto the cross as if it has some power. The power is in the blood that was shed on that cross! When we try to commercialize the cross with movies and gimmicks we are usually coming from the wrong side of the cross.
When you put your faith in Jesus Christ, you switch from the death and suffering side of the cross to the HEAVENLY.SIDE, the life side of the cross. The curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple was torn in two. The curtain that separated the place where the priests would meet with God once a year and only with blood was torn from the top to the bottom! The way to God was opened through His Son, Jesus Christ. The curtain symbolized God’s Son giving His life for us.
“Who will tear the curtain?”
Jesus was laid in the tomb and after the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to anoint Jesus’ body. And, as they were going to Jesus, as they were approaching the tomb, they asked each other.
“Who will roll away the stone?”
Following this, two of Jesus’ disciples were walking along to Emmaus and discussing what had happened in Jerusalem.
“Who will I meet on the way to Emmaus?”
The angel of the Lord told Mary Magdalene that Jesus was going on ahead of them into Galilee.
“Who will go before us to Galilee?”
Jesus walked through the walls and doors of the upper room to where the eleven were eating.
“Who will I meet in Church?
When Jesus appeared to the disciples, he breathed on them and told them to “receive the Holy Spirit.”
“Who will provide for me?”
Jesus ascended into heaven but has made a promise to those that have put their faith in Him.
“Who will come back for me?”
Who will tear the curtain?
In the 3rd chapter of the first book of the Bible, Genesis, we see man separating himself from God by attempting to make himself equal to God. Because of that sin we have been kept from seeking a private audience with the Father. God could not let Himself be seen. If a sin-filled man were to look upon God, he would surely die. Additionally, God came and dwelt in the temple that Moses constructed, however, there were limitations. In Exodus 26, we see God separating Himself with a curtain from man, in order to protect them from His glory.
Exodus 26:31-33 "Make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim worked into it by a skilled craftsman. 32 Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases. 33 Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.”
When Jesus gave up the Spirit, this very veil was torn, or rent in two. The tearing of that veil, which was a type of the human body of Christ (Hebrews 10:20) signified that a “new and living way” was opened for all believers into the very presence of God, with no other sacrifice or priesthood except Christ’s.
(Hebrews 10:19~20) “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body…”
The cross is finished. Yes, we must diligent in remembering the sacrifice on the cross, we must be diligent in remembering the suffering of Jesus on the cross, but the cross is finished. He is no longer there.
Who will tear the curtain? Jesus did! Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross tore the curtain to allow us, through Him, to enter the Most Holy Place. By His blood we have access to the father, and, as it says in Hebrews 10:22, “…let us draw near to god with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”
He is risen and now at the right hand of the Father. And, He is waiting to roll away the stone!
Who will roll away the stone?
(Mark 16:3) “and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"”
To me, this statement is significant in that it sets in motion for mankind Jesus’ heavenly ministry as advocate and intercessor for His believers.
(Romans 7:24-25) “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.”
Who will roll away the stone? Who will roll away the stone from your heart? Who will open the way to God that all that put their faith in Him may enter in? Jesus!
The earthly image is quite familiar. The devoted and faithful women that followed Jesus were on their way to anoint His body with spices, as was the custom of burial in this time. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome had already seen where he had been laid on the day of His death, and knew where the tomb was.
This trip to the tomb by these women probably did not go unnoticed. I’m sure that some of the disciples knew they were going to do this, and may have even helped them in purchasing the anointing spices. There may have been various Pharisee spies in the area, secretly watching the tomb, and, we know that at least two soldiers were guarding the temple. So, we can ascertain that it at least took Courage and Sacrifice for these women to visit the tomb.
=Courage and Sacrifice
It took Courage and Sacrifice for these women to visit the tomb of Jesus. Breaking that down, we can see tht they gave up a lot to come and perform a ritual that would not go unnoticed. What did they give up?
Time – They gave of their time. The Bible records that the women came after sunrise, because that is when the Sabbath ended. They wasted no time in going to Jesus. Additionally, the local stores and shops were probably closed due to the Sabbath. So, the women may have already bought the spices in preparation for their trip so they would not have to make any stops along the way.
They unselfishly gave their time to Jesus and were not disappointed in their giving. We, also can learn a lesson from these women that we need to unselfishly give of our time. But, they didn’t stop there. They gave of their possessions as well.
Possessions – These women, who had very little money, took all that they had and bought spices to anoint the body of Jesus. The Bible tells us that all that we are and have belongs to Jesus. This belief was personified in these women when they took these expensive spices to the tomb.
Being associated with Jesus – They had no fear of being associated with Jesus. Apparently, worry over being seen near His tomb, or fear of being associated with Jesus never entered their mind. These women were on one course, and that was to honor their Lord and Savior. What else matters? Fear, Time, Possessions? No, none of these matter when we are dealing with our Lord and Savior. We should let Jesus roll away the stone of fear and trembling from our hearts like He bodily did for the women that came to see Him.
Who will tear the curtain that separates you from God? Jesus tore the curtain by offering His own body as a sacrifice.
Who will roll away the stone that blocks the entrance to your heart? Jesus will roll away the stone because He is risen!
Who will I meet on the way to Emmaus.
The shepherd had been struck, and the disciples were scattering. There were two disciples that had given up and were leaving Jerusalem. But, they have this to their credit, they were discussing Jesus, and where two or more that are gathered in His name, there he is with them.
This appearance of Jesus to the two disciples going to Emmaus, happened the same day that he rose from the dead. It is a cherished thing as disciples of Jesus to talk of Christ, His life, His death, His resurrection, and what He has personally done for us. By doing this we can improve one another’s knowledge, help refresh our memories and stir up our commitment and devotion to the one who gave His all for us. Those who are talking about Christ will be filled by Him. Those who seek Christ, shall find him. Those who open the door will be shown the wonderful image of the Christ. He will show himself to those that ask, to those that seek and to those that knock. He will provide wisdom to those who call upon His name.
These disciples on the way to Emmaus had no idea who He was. Jesus had not allowed them to be able to discern who He was so that they would talk freely. And, they did. They apparently had not said anything wrong and freely talked about what had happened in Jerusalem. But, they were sad and distress. And, isn’t that the way it often is with Christians? Christ’s disciples are often sad and often sorrowful, even when they have every reason to rejoice. Many times through the weakness of faith we cannot take the comfort that is offered to us. Jesus notices the sorrows of His disciples, and is afflicted in your afflictions.
Jesus pretended to be unaware of what had happened in Jerusalem. But, their reply to His unawareness is appropriate throughout history. Why? Because you are a stranger in Jerusalem, if you have not heard or know of the death and sufferings of Jesus.
As followers of Jesus, that should spur us to evangelism. Those that have the knowledge of Christ crucified, should seek to spread that knowledge. Our Lord Jesus gently rebuked them for their lack of faith, but then what did He do? He expounded on the Scriptures from the beginning to the end. He shows them that the sufferings of Christ were really the appointed way to His glory; and that the way of the cross was something they could not share in until after His death.
Beginning at Moses, the first inspired writer of the Old Testament, Jesus expounded to them the things concerning Him. He took them along the road of truth, the road of hope, the road of life.
Where are you on the road to Emmaus? Have you started the path? Have you reached Emmaus, yet? Or, are you on your way back to Jerusalem after traveling with Jesus while He expounded the scriptures to you?
Who will I meet on the way to Emmaus? Jesus of Nazareth, and He will show me His way, His truth, and His life.
Jesus appeared to those two on the road to Emmaus, and, He appeared to Mary Magdalene and told her to tell the disciples that He would meet them in Galilee.
Who will go before us to Galilee?
An interesting preface to this would be Matthew 26:32.
Matthew 26:32 ‘But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
Jesus tells them this before He was arrested. Jesus and the disciples were on the Mount of Olives and Jesus had just finished telling the disciples that he was going to be arrested and put to death. He also told them that He would rise again and meet them in Galilee. He later reiterated this to Mary Magdalene, who relayed it to the disciples, who did not believe her.
Galilee was a stronghold, a safe haven for the disciples. Before the cross it had been a staging point or gathering point and Jesus wanted to once again gather the disciples there. From here many of the disciples had been called. Here, the disciples had heard the good news while they were following Jesus, and here, in Galilee they would hear the good news again.
Jesus can reach us in our strongholds, in our afflictions and especially in our Galilee. He is able to reach us right where we are, even if we, like the disciples, decide not to believe what we’ve been told. Even if we, like the disciples decide not to go to Galilee.
Jesus rolls away the stone from our hearts, opens the scriptures to our understanding, then goes to our Galilee. He goes right to our life, to minister right to our needs, when we need Him the most. Galilee is the will of God for our lives. He’s asked us to go there and there we will meet with Him. But, for the disciples it didn’t happen that way. The disciples didn’t go to Galilee, they, instead, went to the upper room where they last met with Jesus. But, the good news is this, for Jesus says,
(Matthew 28:20) “…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Who will I meet in Church?
The disciples were hiding and gathered together in that upper room where they had been with Jesus during the Passover meal. I call it a church gathering. Though it was done in secret, the disciples were gathering together in a place where they had last met with Jesus, in the upper room. They were confused and even though they didn’t remember what Jesus said about going ahead to Galilee, and even though they didn’t believe Mary Magdalene about Jesus telling her that He was going ahead of them into Galilee, Jesus still came to them there in the upper room.
This goes to show us that no matter the reason, no matter the agenda, He is with us right to the end. Jesus met with the disciples rebuked them for not believing then let them know that He would never leave them or forsake them and that He would be their provider.
Who will provide for me?
The disciples were without their leader. They were confused at having Jesus, the Son of God taken from their hands. On one hand they were expecting Him to take over as King of Jerusalem, and on the other they were hearing Him say that He was going to die. Now, in the upper room, they are probably wondering what to do. They were probably wondering how to continue a cause that had been built up around a man that no longer was with them. But, we have to remember that Jesus told them that He would be with them right to the end. And, that
(John 14:26) “… the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
John 20:22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
There is no reason to fear. There is no reason to worry. Everything, in Him, will work out.
(Romans 8:28) “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Who will come back for me?
John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
The time is drawing short. With every passing day, the time is drawing short. I mentioned earlier about being on the HEAVENLY side of the cross. Jesus is coming back soon, and what side of the cross will He find you? The death side or the Heavenly side?
He calls upon each and every one of us to put our faith in Him. After that, after we have placed our faith in Him, we are then called upon to look beyond the cross, beyond the sacrifice at what He holds for each and every one of us for each and every day of our lives. Are you doing that?
Summary:
When you put your faith in Jesus Christ, you switch from the death and suffering side of the cross to the HEAVENLY.SIDE, the life side of the cross. The curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple was torn in two.
“Who will tear the curtain?”
Jesus was laid in the tomb and after the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to anoint Jesus’ body. And, as they were going to Jesus, as they were approaching the tomb, they asked each other
“Who will roll away the stone?”
Following this, two of Jesus’ disciples were walking along to Emmaus and discussing what had happened in Jerusalem.
“Who will I meet on the way to Emmaus?”
The angel of the Lord told Mary Magdalene that Jesus was going on ahead of them into Galilee.
“Who will go before us to Galilee?”
Jesus walked through the walls and doors of the upper room to where the eleven were eating.
“Who will I meet in Church?
When Jesus appeared to the disciples, he breathed on them and told them to “receive the Holy Spirit.”
“Who will provide for me?”
Jesus ascended into heaven but has made a promise to those that have put their faith in Him.
“Who will come back for me?”
