6

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17

They had heard His invitation, "Follow me!" They had responded freely, willingly choosing to leave their old lives to become His disciples.

Yet, they were to discover so very soon that, for them, a high cost was involved in this decision. That there was far more involved in following Him than they at first realized.

For example, they were to become aware of increasing, and bitter opposition. They watched and wondered as so many of His other disciples quit following Him and went back.

At this point, they had just shared in the last supper with Him. That was an experience which proved to add greatly to their feeling of confusion.

They watched as He insisted on taking the place of a menial servant. They listened as He insisted that He required them to follow His example.

They were astonished as they heard Him describe one of their number as a traitor, being compelled to ask: Who could that be?

They watched and listened as He dealt with Peter, insisting that Peter would deny Him three times.

Then, He had added that all of them would forsake Him.(See Matthew 26: 32 - 34).

The Christian life would be so very enjoyable, if only it was always easy. If only we could avoid all of the conflicts, all of the confusion. If only there was nothing to stir our feelings of perplexity. If only there was no sacrifice, and no cost involved

If only we could just follow Jesus and simply enjoy being with Him. Being able to rejoice in His presence with us. Glory in His blessings. Thrill to the inspiration of His teaching and His miracles.

But that was not the life into which Jesus led the disciples. Nor is it the life into which He seeks to lead us to today.

There is a false message which is being preached in many places today. The socalled "prosperity" gospel". It is: Just believe in Jesus, and every area of your life will be overflowing with prosperity, peace, and power.

That message is not true to the Biblical teaching. The Lord Jesus did not preach such a gospel. It was totally alien to the experience of the Church in the Book of Acts. It is total deception.

Do not allow yourselves to be unduly disturbed by the developments which you see around you! Yet the disciples did feel that they had every reason to be deeply troubled.

Things were working out entirely different to all that they had expected. They felt that they had every reason to be greatly and deeply perplexed.

That is the common reaction of so many people today. That we should not have to put up with such difficult and demanding situations. That being a Christian should not involve all of these deeply troubling experiences.

Why cannot we have a Christian life free from conflict? Untouched by the disturbing confusion? Set free from the complexity?

We respond to our situation and circumstances like that for one reason. We do not listen. We do not watch. We refuse to believe. Listen: to Jesus! Watch: Jesus! Believe in: Jesus

It was the identical problem with the disciples, even as it is the problem with so many who profess to be Christians today.

But who was it who first had to face bitter opposition? Being confronted by vicious and malicious critics? Embroiled in conflict which He never sought? Who, but the Lord Jesus Himself!

Because of all that He is and all that He came to do, He was despised and rejected. Ridiculed and attacked.

We can avoid the conflict and perplexity. But only by doing what so many of His disciples did back then. By going back and walking no longer with Him.

Jesus asked the twelve, "Will ye also go away?" Peter answered for them, "Lord to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God" (John 6: 66, 68, 69).

The Lord Jesus was reminding His disciples that He really did understand. He understood fully all that was going on in their hearts and minds. He knew all about all of those things which were causing the inner confusion and turmoil.

That is an essential fact which we must always keep in mind. He always does fully understand everything that is going on in our hearts and minds. The perplexity. The turmoil. The thing which so deeply disturb us.

He wanted the disciples to know that He cared. That He cared enough to see them through this time of inner confusion. That they would not have to battle through on their own.

He does care! "For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Hebrews 13: 5, 6).

They were faithful Jews. They belonged to the true people of God, Israel. Of course they believed in God.

Of course I believe in God! So many today would be very quick to take that stand. That fact is central to our Christian heritage.

I believe in God. That fact is fine, as far as it goes. That is, as a statement of general principle.

Yet Jesus was, is, after something more. Something much deeper.

The Lord was after something more. Something of greater significance. "I believe in God!"

But, do you? Personally? As an integral part of all that you are as a person? Not merely as a general and superficial acceptance of a common belief!

There are too many who have a belief in God which does not touch them personally. Rather it is an abstract, nominal, intellectual belief. It does not effect their lives in any significant way whatsoever.

That is not the faith which the Lord Jesus is speaking about. He does not deal in the abstract. But in the actual living of our daily lives.

“Ye believe in God!” Let that belief be deep and vital. Make sure that it is a personal and living faith. That kind of faith which dramatically touches every area of our lives.

Repeatedly throughout His ministry the Lord Jesus had reminded His disciples of this fact. That there was a most vital relationship into which He was seeking to draw them. The example was His relationship with His father. It was out of that relationship that He always spoke and acted.

"I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgement is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me" (John 5: 30).

''The same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent Me. And the Father Himself, which hath sent Me, hath borne witness of' Me" (Verses 36, 37).

Perplexed? Troubled? Disturbed, by so much of what you experience as you follow Me? Remember this vital fact, as I lead you, I lead you in the very center of the Father's will!

“You believe in God!” Then, see Him in all that I do! See His activity in all My works. Hear Him speaking in every Word you hear Me speak.

Have faith in My leadership in your life. Wherever I lead you, no matter how difficult and confusing that way may seem to become to you.

Have faith in all that I am doing. Even though that may require you to pay a very high cost. Remember, all that I am doing is what I see the Father doing!

Have faith in every Word that I speak. Even though at times that Word may hurt. Even deeply! Correcting. Reproving. Remember that every Word is carefully chosen by the Father who loves you. Even as it is most graciously spoken in the love which is true and unfailing.

"Believe in ME!" Personally! Put your total trust in Me. Have complete confidence in ME!

That means, continue to risk everything in your personal commitment of faith in ME!

When that is true, everything else in your life will be seen in a completely different perspective. All of the conflict and confusion will become much less a problem. All the trouble and turmoil will be far more manageable. The problems and perplexities will fade into insignificance.

The key: "Have faith in Me!" That must always be the first priority. Always.

''In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."

The “Home” which the Lord Jesus is speaking about is: The Father's "Home"! That "Home" is the fullness of all the indescribable glory of Heaven.

Jesus assured His disciples that, there, in the Father's home, many abiding places were provided.

"Mansions'' is the word which is used in the King James Version, Unfortunately, too many have focused their attention on the mansion. Yet they have ignored the central truth. In becoming so excited about the "place", they have all but ignored the "Person"!

The key is: "My Father!" The focus of the Lord Jesus was, is, always on: "The Father"! The place is important only because that is where He will be with the Father. Where we will be with Him and the Father.

He is saying to us, This is the privilege to which I am calling you. To be able to enter a dwelling place where you will be able to share fellowship with the Father for all eternity.

The "Home" is the Father's "Home"! There we are abled to be a privileged part of His family!

"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My Words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make our abode with him!"

Think of what that means. The Lord Jesus is saying to us today. If you love Me, that love will be demonstrated as you keep My Word. In doing that you give the Father the opportunity which He seeks.

That opportunity which He is seeking is to love you in a most special way. That is, The Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit will come to you and make you their "Home!" Entering into the deepest, richest, closest fellowship with you.

The Lord Jesus is describing the glorious eternal climax of that special privilege of grace. In the Father's "Home" many places are provided. Those who share in that home will continue to be gloriously enriched by the most wonderful and indescribable fellowship.

His clearly stated purpose and assurance is quite unmistakable. It is both definite and specific. He is going to prepare a place in the Father's Home for His faithful disciples To make ready for them this: the highest privilege that they could ever imagine or ever receive.

Yes, as we live the Christian life here, it is a life of great perplexity. Yet it is also the life of the highest privilege.

Paul was so right when he wrote, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8: 18) .

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4: 17).

The Lord Jesus has made a very specific commitment. He guarantees it. We can be fully assured of that fact.

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

"If I go" is not said in that way because of any uncertainty. Rather to emphasize all that follows.

If you do see Me go and they did. Exactly as He said He would! Then, you can be absolutely certain that you will see Me return!

His going was the absolute guarantee of two things. The first He was preparing a place in the Father's Home. Second He would return!

He was revealing His Father's eternal will. Step by step, showing how it would all work out. Exactly as the Father intended.

Depend on it! He has gone to prepare a place for His faithful people. He is coming again to receive them to Himself.

When the Christian life gets increasingly difficult, and we face opposition, misunderstanding, hurt, problems, perplexity, and fiery trial, remember this: All of that will give way before: "I will come again!"

He prepares a place for us in His Father's Home. While we are waiting, He is seeking to prepare us for His return.

He personally guarantees all this with such glorious assurance. He will receive His prepared people. Receive them to take them to the place prepared for them!

He is coming again, to say, "Well done, good and faithful servant;... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!" (Matthew 25: 23).

Who are those who will be prepared to hear that Word? Only those who have been faithful to His will!

“Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you” (Matthew 25: 34). Who can anticipate hearing Him speak that Word? Only those whose daily lives give accurate evidence of a genuine relationship with Him. Whose attitudes express His love. His will. His truth.

"Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7: 21).

"Every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure" (I John 3: 3).

Those He comes to receive prepare themselves for His coming.

His desire is for the closest possible relationship with those who are His. What a privilege! What a challenge!

“Always!” In the Father's Home. Having the deepest, richest, closest, personal fellowship. With the Father. With the Lord Jesus. With the Holy Spirit.

Only those who are actually, personally, genuinely prepared in heart and life could enter there.

If' He is not first in our love here, heaven would prove to be totally intolerable to us. If we want to continue to love the world and the things of the world, that prepared place would make us most uncomfortable. Most ill at ease. It just would not be "home" to us!

If we are reluctant to walk with Him here, sharing with Him in His suffering and sacrifice. Then we would feel most out of place with Him there. If we do not want to put His will first here, we would be deeply embarrassed and shamed there!

His aim and objective is clear. The highest level of spiritual and personal feIlowship. Always. In which there would be total unity of heart. Of mind. Of personality. Of will, Above all: of pure and holy love!

Daily, He is seeking to prepare us for that prepared place. In His love and grace He seeks to inspire our complete loyalty to Him. Our faithful cooperation with His Will. Our unreserved commitment to be one with Him, now!

By willingly, in love, gladly embracing His will here, we are prepared for the fullness: There!

By making sure that every aspect of the relationship is right here, we will be ready for the glory of that relationship: There!

You know the place to which I am going. That was the exciting privilege which His love and grace freely gave to them .

To know, personally. Actually. He had spoken frequently of that place. Especially of the One who is central to that place: The Father!

Later they would remember the glorious truths which He had shared with them. As their love deepened. As their commitment developed. They thought about that place. After all, He had gone there! He was everything to them!

Paul wrote, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set you affections on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3: 1 2).

Do we really love Jesus. Then Paul's words will find a joyfull, positive response in our hearts and minds.

He also wrote: "For I am in a straight betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better!'' (Philippians 1: 23).

Heaven is so very precious to the Christian. It is the Father's Home. The Lord Jesus is there, sitting at the Father's right hand. "To be with Christ; which is far better!"

“The way ye know!” You do know the way. The Lord had also made that so clear in all He said to them.

They had heard Him say to them, "Follow Me!"(Luke 5: 27). "Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me!"(Matthew 11: 29).

That is the way. Following Him in devoted submission and surrender. Seeking the closest personal fellowship with Him. Wanting to love Him. Be loved by Him.

There were some who had found the claims of His Word too difficult to accept. "From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him" (John 6: 66).

Walking with Him is walking in the Path which leads to the Place which is of such glorious and eternal significance.

THE PREEMINENT PRIORITY THE AFFIRMED REVELATION (verses 5 6)

"Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way?"

The Lord Jesus had made a simple, clear statement. Thomas found it to be confusing.

Jesus said, "You know where I am going!" Thomas responded: "Not me! I do not know where You are going!"

Clear! Confused! Thomas was not alone as he wrestled with this perplexity. So many today have the same experience. There is so much in the Word of God which leaves them confused and perplexed.

Many things may contribute in a minor way to this situation. Yet there is one major problem.

Thomas, like Judas, and Peter, as well as the others, listened to Jesus. But they did not really "hear" Him!

The Lord Jesus spoke the Word from the perspective of being totally committed to the will of God. From that perspective it was always clear and simple to understand.

'The disciples listened to Him. But they did so from the perspective of following their own agenda. They attempted to hear him according to what they wanted to hear. Self was still far too prominent. The world continued to wield excessive and intrusive influence.

As the direct result, they were left confused by the Word of the Lord Jesus. Perplexed. It was as if He was speaking in a foreign language. He was to them!

That is the problem with vast numbers of people today. We hear, but we do not hear what Jesus is actually saying to us. We try to force His words to fit in with what we want to hear Him saying to us. Not what He is actually saying to us.

He said, "Except ye ... become as little children" (Matthew 18: 3). Listen to Him with a simple childlike trust and total acceptance. Have no hidden personal self-serving agenda.

Hear, and accept. Fully. Without question. With no thought of either debate or doubt.

"Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. "

"I AM," This expression of the Lord is quite emphatic. Intentionally strong. Even dogmatic!

This statement is made in absolute authority. "Look at Me! Focus your whole attention on ME

God revealed Himself to Moses in the Name: "I AM THAT I AM!" (Exodus 3: 14) .

He is absolutely unique as the infinite and eternal: "I AM!" The "I AM" who was the only One Moses needed. This "I AM!" was the only One that Israel needed.

The "I AM!" was the only One the disciples needed. That same "I AM!" is the only One we need.

"I AM!" is always: everything! Always preeminent! Always so totally sufficient in every situation. Always: completely and eternally reliable.

As a little child, in childlike faith, focus all of your attention on Him. Put your complete confidence in His Word. Trust utterly in His love and faithfulness.

To do that is to actually live the Christian life. To do so victoriously. Effectively. Meaningfully.

Not, I will point you to the way. "I AM the way!" Therefore abide in Him, and you will always be in the Way! Even as you will know the Way!

Not, I will show you how to discover the truth. "I AM the truth " In ME you have THE TRUTH!

By abiding in Him we learn more of Him. Thus we come to deeper, richer, fuller understanding of THE TRUTH!

"I Am the life!" Not, I will show you where you can find life. He is LIFE. "CHRIST OUR LIFE!"

"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this LIFE IS IN HIS SON" (I John 5: 11).

When we come in simple childlike faith. When we take the Lord Jesus at His Word. Then, we do understand. Then we do enter into the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

"No man!" The Lord Jesus means, literally, "No man!" And, "No woman!'' "No person!"

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4: 12).

Some would suggest that such an attitude is intolerant. To then begin to ask, "What about ... ?"

The Lord Jesus has made a statement of absolute fact! This is eternal Truth! God Himself wants everyone to know that this is actually the way it is! He is not about to change it. No matter how many charge Him with being too intolerant

This is not intolerance. This is: GRACE! It is: LOVE! Even as it is: Mercy. Patience. None of which we deserve!

Who Else, in genuine, selfsacrificing love "came to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19: 10)?

Who else could claim with truth, "I AM the Good Shepherd, the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep" "I lay down My life for the sheep!" (John 10: 11, 15)?

"Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1: 29).

“Thou shalt call His Name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1: 21).

Who else would dare to claim: "I AM the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die!" (John 11: 25, 26)?

Who else can promise: "I go to prepare a place for you . . . I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14: 2, 3)?

Is it any wonder that Paul said, "For to me to live is Christ" (Philippians 1: 21)?

It is to know as a dynamic personal fact: "Christ liveth in me!" (Galatians 2: 20).

This is the exciting reality into which He seeks to lead all who will believe Him.

It is the glorious inspiration which He desires to bring into our daily experience.