Now is the Son of Man glorified. John 13:31-38 Questions are reasonable comments when we are uncertain about what is happening or what someone means. It is wrong to ignore what has already been shown to us simply because it conflicts with our frame of reference or preconceived ideas. We should pay attention to what the Lord has already said and done before returning to Him with questions that have already been answered.
There should be no room in us for half-hearted faith. Many temptations want to take its place, but to be cleansed from sin, it is only by God’s grace that we are saved from sin’s penalty. That is why Christ came to earth. A just and holy God has standards to which we must conform. These are perfect laws that must be obeyed, not just human standards that can change quickly to suit people. The laws given warn anxious sinners that God’s unchanging standards reveal to us the true cost of sin. To most people, sin is wrong, but it has been passed down, so they think it’s not that serious when we do what is wrong because it’s common practice. They think God should overlook sin because we are weak, and He is strong, and they sometimes treat sin as if it’s a joke.
Just before Christ died, He knew His hour had come. No longer was there a waiting time to see what would happen to Him. The moment had arrived for Him to put away sin through His sacrifice. He knew the wages of sin is death. He knew God would be glorified and that holy justice would prevail. The Lord Jesus understood what the cross would entail and how it would meet the legal claims of God. He alone could not fail in the work ahead because He was the only perfect, innocent Man in His nature before God and man. He glorified God, and God glorified Him, for on the cross of Calvary, He fully dealt with sin. Those who accept the sacrifice He made for them regain the fellowship God originally desired and, through spiritual new birth, are brought into God's family to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever.
"LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED". John 14 “I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:1-14 Life is full of uncertainties, and when these become our main focus, we feel troubled. "What is going to happen next?" "Why has God allowed these things to continue?" "How much worse can it get?" Questions like this affect us if we are preoccupied with the events around us. Most people focus on newsworthy events and issues. Outside the upper room where Jesus was with His disciples, the forces of hell were gathering. The religious leaders had already planned to kill Jesus. Judas had betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver. Satan was controlling the entire situation, even trying to involve the power of Rome.
In that upper room, words of comfort from the Lord were spoken to those who loved Him. "Let not your heart be troubled." Each of those men had the right to claim those words for himself. Jesus had previously told them about the assurance and encouragement of the Father's hand at the beginning of their faith journey. He had spoken of the Father's honor as a challenge to faithful service in the present walk of faith. Now, He speaks of the Father's house to comfort them as they look forward to the end of their journey of faith.
The “I will” of hope [v.3] is a promise made to us by the One who is “The Truth.” The character of the Lord Jesus gives that promise its true value, assuring us that our hope is not just a wish for the future but a real fact. He who made the promise is definitely coming back to take us to be with Him forever. The answer to a troubled heart is renewed faith in God and His word, along with complete trust in our Lord Jesus Christ. God has a plan and purpose behind everything He allows. He doesn’t take away our free will but enables and empowers us to rise above the difficult circumstances of life around us.
Our Lord is preparing a place for us and has also made a way for us to get there. He is “The Way” for us to reach heaven. His death on the cross opened that way to anyone who will believe in Him. Eternal life experienced now includes promises we can claim because of the One who made them. Heaven is a real place where there is room for everyone. It is not a disorganized, imaginary dream of the mind, but a "prepared place for prepared people."
The Lord Jesus Christ told those disciples He was going to prepare that place. Perhaps He was referring to the redemptive work He would accomplish at Calvary, as well as the dwelling in the Father's house where all God's people will reside. Our eternal life began when He gave His life so that we could have eternal life through Him. Today, we live in the joy and fullness of that life He has given us.
The promise of Christ's return for His own has comforted and challenged God's people since He first uttered those words of promise - "I will come again." Those words have provided comfort to the suffering and sorrowful throughout the years. They also serve as a challenge for us to live holy and righteous lives because we do not know when He will come. The lack of a specific time or signs indicating when this will happen keeps us purified and alert, emphasizing the urgency of His coming.
True believers do not want to be ashamed before Him when He comes. Yet, despite ourselves and this knowledge, we sometimes become involved in things that would cause us embarrassment. We can keep our hearts untroubled if we live aware that today might be the day He fulfills His promise to return and take us to Himself.
Four of Jesus' disciples had questions for Him during His upper room ministry. Peter asked, "Where?" wanting to know Jesus' destination. Thomas asked a question concerning "How?" — "How can we know the way?" These questions related to the events that would follow that night. Philip asked, "Show?" because he missed the point of Jesus' teaching that seeing the Lord Jesus Christ meant seeing the Father. The Father and Son are One. Jude also wanted to know, "What?"
Thomas' question introduced the sixth great statement about the deity of Christ and what it means for us today. Jesus is the only way to God. By trusting Him alone for salvation, we are on the path to the Father's house. People often argue and become offended when Bible-believing Christians insist that Jesus is the only Way. They complain that it is too narrow and excludes too many people. In reality, the truth is quite the opposite. There is enough room on “The Way” for the whole world to be accepted into heaven if they are willing to come God's way, not their own. Jesus as "The Way" is a sure way, not one based on men's speculation.
As "The Truth," the Lord Jesus makes promises that can be trusted without question. He is “the Truth,” and the only saving truth is His word. If someone does not believe His word, they do not believe Him who is “The Truth.” He embodies the reality of all God has promised. There is no need to wonder or argue about what He said. The promises of God are "Yea and Amen." Nothing needs to be added to what He has assured us in His Word. Scriptures about Him that were written hundreds of years before He came were fulfilled when Christ was in the world.
When we go to the cross for salvation and accept Him as “The Way” and “The Truth,” which are clearly revealed to us in God’s word, then our Lord Jesus becomes “The Life” to us who believe in Him. By nature, life is the most valuable thing we possess, and we do not want to lose it. As "The Life," He grants us His eternal life, which is God's provision for us forever, ensuring we will never perish. He has united Himself to us by giving us His eternal life, so we are connected to Him in sharing this life through His grace alone. We do nothing to earn or deserve this life in any way; it is given to us as God's gift.
The “I will” of answered prayer [v.14] opens the door to unlimited power in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. He will answer when we pray because He has given us His word. The answer may not always be exactly what we want, but the promise is made by Him, and in prayer, I will not doubt.