Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14
Sermon by Michael R. Martin
First United Methodist Church of Saranac Lake, NY
Our gospel reading today comes from the Book of John, Chapter 14, verses 1-14.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going."This exchange takes place between Jesus and his disciples at what we call the last supper. Jesus is offering some comforting words to his disciples. Just before these wonderful words of comfort, Jesus had washed his disciples feet, showing that God’s son, God’s servant, is not beneath serving. And in fact Jesus’ message is often about serving. Following the foot washing, Jesus then predicts his betrayal by Judas:
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?"
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied."
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father?' Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves."
"Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it."
John 13:18 – 19 (NIV) “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me. I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He."; and Jesus predicts his denial by Peter:
John 13: 33-38 (NIV) “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."So, returning to our own reading, it is understandable why the disciples were so upset. The man they worshipped as their savior, who they had seen perform miracles, and to whom they had pledged their lives, was saying he was leaving them and they could not follow, and two of them would do hurtful things to him. I can think of no better words of comfort than those He used: Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?"
Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."
Peter asked, “Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”
I think about my own children and my family. At times, we all say hurtful things to those we love. And when we have hurt some one, what can we say? “I am sorry”, “I love you”, -- and if you have REALLY put your foot in it – “I will do ANYTHING to make it up to you!”
But Jesus is telling his disciples and us something different, something deeper. He was trying to make the disciples understand that his love was always and forever, that when he is gone he will still be listening and doing all that we ask. And the biggest news of all, that he was not just their leader, their prophet, but he was the Son of God and the Son of God is of the Father and the Father is of the Son. And if you read one verse further, Jesus explains the Holy Spirit who is given as Counselor. The Trinity: The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Be kind to those you love. And always remember that Jesus did not leave us alone. He listens, he answers. God, our Father; Jesus, the Son of Man; and the Holy Spirit, Counselor – open your heart, your mind and your spirit and let them in.
Michael R. Martin – April 27, 2005
First UMC of Saranac Lake, 8:30AM
