Bible Study - Enough (5) - Our Need for Peace - John 14:1-7 - April 3, 2016

Bible Study – Enough (5) – Our Need for Peace – April 3, 2016

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “More than Enough: How JESUS Meets Our Deepest Needs.”

Our focus scripture is John 14:1-7.

JESUS is the way to the Father; therefore, we can live in peace, when we accept HIM as our Savior.  Peace does not come from head knowledge but heart knowledge as confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

In this lesson, we will study the sixth “I AM” statement of JESUS.

In John Chapter 13, JESUS had washed the disciple’s feet and confirmed that HE was their LORD and Teacher. If their LORD and Teacher washed their feet they should do likewise; “no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” Christians are to obediently serve.

JESUS told HIS disciples that one of them would betray HIM. JESUS told them that HE would be with them a little longer. They will look for HIM but where HE was going they could not come. This was troubling news to HIS disciples and leads us into our focus scripture.

Let’s read John: 14:1:

The Way to the Father

1 "Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.

JESUS had given HIS disciples some troubling news.  HE was preparing them for an even greater reality when they would witness HIS capture, beating and crucifixion. Surely, GOD in the flesh would zap any person who tried to harm HIM? Right? We as humans ascribe superhuman qualities to those in whom we place our allegiance. Yes, JESUS was GOD in the flesh but HE was on a specific mission as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of mankind. HIS humility and obedience to HIS Father would make HIS disciples question HIS authority because they too were looking for a political messiah.

JESUS comforted them with these words by linking the intimate reality of GOD to Himself. JESUS’ reference to the heart was pointing to the core of a person’s being and not the physical organ that pumps blood. The physical heart is vital to sustaining life and the Spiritual condition of our “core being” is vital to sustaining our Spiritual being. It is the place the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:18-19 which he referred to as the “eyes of the heart.”

18 [I pray] that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints,

19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.

The word “believe” can be applied in two different ways. First, it can apply to “believe” as a fact, such as I believe that building exists. Second, it can be rendered as a command “believe;” such as believe that GOD will remove this mountain based upon an act of obedience and faith. Thus, in this scripture, the first use of “believe” means “you believe in GOD, as a fact, because you have experienced HIM; now I AM telling you to believe in ME because GOD and I are ONE.” Thus GOD is GOD and will never be destroyed and neither will I. Therefore, when your darkest hour comes and it will, trust what “I AM” revealing to you.

GOD is eternal, omnipotent, omniscience and omnipresent and they had faith in GOD, therefore in the troubling days ahead, they were to keep what HE was telling them in mind; “you believe in GOD also believe in ME.”

JESUS wanted them to keep this fact in mind because their faith would be severely tested in the coming days. In the words of Dr. Vance Havner “We must practice in the dark what we learn in the light” and dark days were coming. But they were not to be troubled or let doubt come into their lives because they could not see beyond the reality of the physical events that would take place.

JESUS gave them news that was perplexing then but would be turned into joy when they understood and comprehended the truth of JESUS’ passion, burial, resurrection and the filling of the Holy Spirit.

We as Christians find it difficult to see beyond the present reality of events when things are going contrary to what we think. This is when we must rely upon the truth of GOD’S Word, the Bible and pray through such times.

Let’s read John 14:2-4:

2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places; [a traveler's resting place. The Gk word is related to the verb meno, meaning to remain or stay, which occurs 40 times in John.] if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you.

JESUS was preparing HIS disciples for HIS death, resurrection, ascension and assurance that one day they would join HIM. Some translations use mansions. 

The English word for mansion became to mean a larger dwelling place, like a manor house. Rooms or dwelling places seem to be the preferred rendering not to give the wrong impression of opulence and catering to a certain class of people upon earth. Heaven is for all who place their faith in JESUS regardless of their earthly stature. Yet the Bible reveals that heaven is beyond our imagination. We are all sinners saved by GOD’S grace through faith in JESUS. 

It takes the same grace to save the least offender to the vilest offender.

It was custom in that day, when someone invited you for a meal he or she would go ahead of their guests to prepare for their guests.

JESUS made it clear “I AM” going to prepare a place for you. That “you” covered HIS disciples and all who place their faith in JESUS.

JESUS has secured a place for all who place their faith in HIM. Our older Brother and Savior obtained real estate in Heaven that awaits us upon our physical death. It is up to each person to claim it. What a shame to die and see where you could have lived but rejected it by rejecting JESUS as your Savior.

3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.

JESUS will go and prepare a place. Since HE prepares a place, HE will come back and receive those who have placed their faith in HIM to Himself. The word “receive” means “to take to.” When a Christian dies, JESUS takes him or her to Himself. If the Christian is still alive when HE returns for the second time, HE takes them to Himself. Either way, Christians are secure in JESUS plus JESUS takes them home to be with HIM and our Father, GOD.

4 You know the way where I am going."

This statement raised questions. Questions lead to clarity and understanding as we see when we read on.

Let’s read John 14:5-7:

5 "Lord," Thomas said, "we don't know where You're going. How can we know the way?"

This is a question many have asked and our next scripture reveals truth. The question is, do you accept JESUS response as truth or do you let human logic lure you into believing that there is some other way to heaven? Some other way is a lie that Satan places in your mind to deceive you and for him to claim your soul destined for hell with him for eternity. Embrace truth by accepting JESUS as your Savior and there is no better time than the Easter season. Christians serve a risen Savior! Because HE lives so will all who place their faith in HIM. JESUS made it clear as we read on.

6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Here is the sixth “I AM” statement.

Jesus Reveals the Father

7 "If you know Me, you will also know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him."

To “know” means more than head knowledge or basic knowledge but to know through experience and reality. You have a genuine relationship with JESUS and, in turn, a genuine relationship with GOD. An intimate, loving relationship with JESUS results in an intimate, genuine, loving, personal relationship with GOD.

JESUS made it clear with words that embracing JESUS was embracing GOD. 

The Two are One. When Christians are one with JESUS through salvation and the miracle of rebirth, others see JESUS in them and GOD our Father is Magnified and Glorified.  As JESUS is the light so are Christians this reflected light. Christians are to reflect JESUS to others and be the salt that results in others thirsting for the relationship they have with CHRIST.

Let us so live that others will desire what we have through our relationship with CHRIST. Blessings!!!