Now What? - Don't Let Your Heart Be Troubled

 

The fifty days of Easter 

Resurrection isn’t something that happened—it’s always happening.  

Now What?  This series will help us learn what it means to live as Resurrection people.  

Today, we are going to study a passage from what is known as Jesus’ “Final Discourse” in John’s Gospel. And we’re going to learn what it means to be brave as a community of Christ.  

CLEAR EYES, FULL HEARTS, NO FEAR, CAN’T LOSE

John 14:1-14

Jesus wants his followers to know they will not be abandoned.  

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 

• He begins with: You all, do not let your heart be troubled.” 
• The meaning here is collective—you are all responsible together.  

2 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? 3 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. 

• “Many rooms” - relationship rather than location-based metaphor. 

4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know[d] my Father also. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

• The disciples have questions about “The Way,” so Jesus reassures them. 
• The “Way” and the destination are one and the same. 

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 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’? 10 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. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe because of the works themselves. 12 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. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

• Philip’s question speaks to scarcity rather than abundance.  

Like the disciples, we often wonder what to do and believe when Jesus isn’t “around.”  

How do we have the clear eyes, full hearts, and lack of fear that Jesus is talking about?  We find it here.  In this place. Together.  

What You Need To Know About Your Community

• We desire to see the world in all its beauty and ugliness.  
• We want to lead with love in all that we do.  
• We won’t be afraid to trust and follow the Way.  

CLEAR EYES, FULL HEARTS, NO FEAR, CAN’T LOSE