The passages flow like fast-moving stream running toward the ever-certain destination of a greater body of water. Its phrases and sentences soar to the heights as if to reach God Himself. The words are carefully chosen, yet show a simplicity unmatched in all of scripture. It has been call the “theological gospel” for its attention to theological issues. Indeed, the Gospel readings for Christmas and Easter are taken form John’s Gospel. Nowhere else can be found such a treatment of Jesus’ promises of Glory.
“Let not your hearts be troubled,” Jesus begins. His sensitivity is remarkable. The Apostles were seeing the pressure begin to grow for Jesus’ execution. He knew and they knew that He didn’t have long to continue His ministry. It would only be a matter of time before their sun would set at midday amid the horror of crucifixion and the world as they knew it would be in chaos. Still, Jesus confronted their fear with honesty. He warns them that their lives moving forward would not be easy, but will be fraught with persecution and hatred. Simply stated, He made made them aware of the glory they would see, but also, the pain which would precede it.
Then, with all this said, Jesus faces the greatest fear of mankind – death. “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place or you? And when I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself.”
One’s death is inevitable. The Bible reminds us that “even in life we are in death.” Yet, no one wants to discuss it. The subject is too taboo.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross in her classic book “On Death and Dying” believes that this is the reason for so much fear. Her feeling is that the terror can be alleviated only by facing the ultimate and preparing for death through open dialogue. She has found through her medical practice and subsequent studies that those who are dying long to discuss what they are feelin and thereby be able to lay some of their fears to rest.
Jesus takes it even further by talking of the final “resting place.” Where that is or how one gets there is unimportant. What is important is Jesus’ reassurance of the depth of God’s acceptance.
Too often, “heaven” is though of in a narrow, exclusive way. For the Christian, however, it is simply where God is an being with Jesus. The love of God does not make a “resting place” a cramped, narrow area with a few kindred souls together. It must be a place where all nations and tongues and kinds of people are represented. “In my Father’s house are many ‘resting places.'” Each person is an individual and has a place in God’s heart that no one else can ever fill.
In light of all of this, Christians believe we leave the “tent” that is this life and move to a “mansion” built by God Himself. It means being where there is peace. There is a room with Jesus for the thief and the sinner. There is room for the very young and the very old. The spiritually and emotionally troubled can find the rest hey could not find in this life. Indeed, death is seen not as an end, but a new beginning.
Jesus, in His great depth and breadth, is all-embracing. As He treated persons as He walked His Ministry, so will He treat us i death. All people are individuals with value and worth. Indeed, the message of the cross is that Jesus, the God-man, died that we might no longer bear burdens of guilt and suffering. Our sins are forgiven; our guilt is no longer personal “baggage” and, most of all, we have gotten a glimpse of the image of God Himself.
“I am the way,” He tells the Apostles. This is the message of the Resurrection and Eastertide. We need fear no longer. Jesus has shown us in His full humanity the way to God. He was God’s mirror to us on earth. We have not only been given directions, we have been shown the way there by the One who knows the Father.
Jesus, as no one else, knew the life of temptation. He could have been a temporal king; a warrior or spectacular showman. But that was not “the way.” He realized that the moment love enters into life, pain enters with it. If we could arrange life so that nothing or nobody mattered, we would be free of pain in heart and anxiety of mind. But that’s not “the way” either.
The way to God, by Jesus’ example, is to see life as it is, and through the strength of God’s love, work to make it as it should be. To see that life is more than things and ambitions and power struggles; to face the realities of suffering, guilt, and depression; and finally, to do all you can to find a solution to it, while remembering the help and strength available through prayer, is the challenge of our response.
The road to God is not a road of terror, but a road of promise. Jesus has walked the road before us and has even sent the comfort and healing of God’s Holy Spirit, We will never be alone!
What lies ahead? Some suffering and pain probably, yet to balance that is friendship; love; fulfillment. So, God was there at the beginning. Along the road, God has shown us “the way” in His Son and by the Holy spirit. In the end, there is God and hope. Therefore, “Let not your heart be troubled.”
Source: © The Rev. Peter Groschner, May 18, 2014. John 14:1-14. Reprinted with permission from the author.