JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE John 14:1-31 Key Verse: 6 "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" As Jesus begins his last main message to his disciples, we see that their hearts are troubled. Jesus gives them clear commands and promises. When they obey these commands and believe these promises, they will find God's peace and become instruments of God's righteousness. In chapter 13, we see several reasons why the disciples' hearts were troubled. Strangely, Jesus, their master, had become a servant, and washed each of their feet. Peter was so upset by this that he initially refused. Jesus had predicted that one of them would betray him. Jesus also had predicted that Peter would deny him three times. And what is more, Jesus himself was going to leave them. So there were ample reasons for the disciples to be troubled. When I think about the condition of the disciples at this time, I see three main problems. They were worried because their security in the world had been shattered. They were confused because they could not understand what was going on. They were fearful because Jesus had spoken of death. Jesus addressed each of these problems with many promises. I find three promises of Jesus that stand out. Jesus promised "I will"... In verse 3, Jesus said, "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." The disciples didn't seem to have a place in the world. For three years, they were with Jesus as he traveled around the countryside. James and John wanted to have the righthand and lefthand places next to Jesus, because they thought Jesus would set up a political kingdom. But now Jesus was leaving. Where would they go? Their security was shattered. But Jesus gave them a wonderful promise: "I will come back and take you to be with me." Jesus showed them the way to have a permanent place in the Father's house, where they could live in complete security forever. This promise of a place in God's house helps me overcome worries about living in this world. My security is not in houses or places in the world. My security is Jesus' promise of a place in our Father's house. In verse 13 Jesus said, "13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." The disciples were experiencing a whirlwind of events. It was a confusing time, as we can see from the questions asked by Thomas, Philip and Judas. Their minds were searching for answers. Jesus could not answer everything at that time, so he confidently planted God's word of promise in them. They didn't know what to do, but Jesus gave them a clear direction--"bring glory to the Father." When we don't know what to do, we should ask Jesus for the way to glorify God. To glorify God is the true way of life. To know the Jesus, the truth, cleanses our soul and drives the dark of doubt away. Jesus would not be physically present with them soon, but he left them with an open-ended promise: "I will do whatever you ask in my name." In this way, they could ask Jesus and find the truth. I thank God that when I become confused, I can ask Jesus and find the truth. Another key promise Jesus gave the disciples is in verse 16: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever". One of the biggest problems the disciples faced was fear. They feared death, which seemed to be ever closer for Jesus. They loved to hear the word of God from Jesus, but as he talked about death more and more, they became fearful. What hope did they have if Jesus would die and leave them? But Jesus gave them hope. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, the Counselor who would be with them forever. Jesus would be crucified. Eventually they also would face death. But in Jesus death is not the end. Jesus would conquer death. Because he lives, his disciples would also live. So their fear could be replaced with a living hope. The Holy Spirit would remind them of Jesus' words. In this way, God would be with each of them. May God help us to overcome worry, confusion and fear through Jesus the way, the truth and the life.