By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Sermon Text: John 14:1-7
Sermon Theme
In John, chapter 14, Jesus is discussing the issue of death and loss with his disciples. He has just told them that he is leaving them (John 13:33). He has given them the commandment to love one another (John 13:34). He assures them that he will return to take them unto himself so that they will be with him (John 14:3). In an unsurpassed statement, Jesus claims that he is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). This assurance will fortify the disciples in their service to him even after his death and resurrection. Like Jesus, the ruler of this world will have no power over them (John 14:30). As we remember the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 we, like the original disciples, are fortified by these words of Jesus.
Sermon Outline
- Faith. What does it mean to believe in Jesus? The essence of the word translated “believe” here is trust. Jesus calls the disciples to believe in him, to have faith in him, to trust him. Jesus calls us to himself as “the way, the truth and the life.” He is the one certain thing in an uncertain world. The assurance he offers to us, his disciples, in this passage is framed with statements about “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31, 13:2, 27, 14:30). Jesus promises that he will come to the disciples. The activities of the ruler of the world cannot change his mission. In fact, his actions actually are part of Jesus’ purpose of going to the cross for the salvation of the world (John 12:32, 47). Jesus doesn’t claim to offer a better way, a better truth and a better life as though he can be compared to what the world offers. Jesus is the only way, truth and life. He doesn’t promise us safety, security or prosperity as the world values these things. He offers us himself. He demonstrates his love for the world, the world in which Satan is still, functionally, the “ruler” (John 3:16-17, 6:51, I John 4:14). Whenever we encounter great tragedy and the power of evil itself, as we did on 9/11, we need to remember Jesus’ promise to those whose hearts are troubled.
- Freedom. The fact that Jesus alone is the way, truth and life, the only Savior of the world frees us from fear and despair. The magnitude of 9/11 still shocks us as it should. Yet we should prayerfully consider that it should not surprise us. It should remind us that “the whole world lies under the power of the evil one” (I John 5:19), that his wrath is great “because he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12) but more importantly, we are to “take courage” because Jesus has conquered the world. Therefore we are free from the false gods of the world and from the temptations of Satan which Jesus himself overcame (Matthew 4:1-11). People ask, how could God allow something like 9/11 to happen? However what God “allowed” was creation itself, a world in which freedom is essential. This freedom was built into the whole creation. Freedom, however, can be used for destructive purposes. When this happens, freedom destroys itself. Yet God, in his freedom, has chosen never to give up on the world (Romans 8:21-22).
- Follow. There are ultimately only two choices in life. They are either to follow Jesus as the way, truth and life or to follow the world’s counterfeit hopes and promises. Apart from Christ, the world quickly becomes a place of futility. The more we have of the things of this world the more we want and the more we are unsatisfied (Steven Spielberg spent a fortune buying the first issue of Batman. Having achieved this goal the only follow up was to spend another fortune buying an additional copy of the same issue). The reality of 9/11 is an expression of the hate, intolerance, false religion and violence which has plagued humanity since Cain killed Abel (over what was essentially a religious argument). If we follow that path, if we give in to hatred and revenge, then we become lovers of darkness (John 3:19). “Whoever does not love abides in death” (I John 3:14). However if we follow Jesus, not as a means to the security and pleasure of this world, but as the way, truth and life, then we have the freedom to love every person as uniquely created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This includes our enemies (Matthew 5:44). The love of Jesus however is never the passive acceptance of evil. It is love that calls us to account as human beings made in the image of God. This love drives out all fear (I John 4:18). By living out this love we show the world that Jesus truly is the way, the truth and the life (John 17:23).
Questions for Us
- Why do we so often think that God’s purpose for us is to make us safe and prosperous in this world? Why do we so easily love the things of this world (I John 2:15-16)?
- How does Jesus being the way, the truth and the life free us from both the illusions and the fears of this world?
- How would you respond to the person who says, “I’m so glad we killed Osama bin Laden"?
