JOHN 13:36-14:6

The Way, the Truth, the Life

•Do these look familiar to you?•How about these?•Would you ask for directions?•Or would you, like me, just keep driving?

Signs on the road…

•Jesus is more than a cosmic GPS•Though the signs can be confusing, He lays it all out for us in the passage today•There will be no confusion left after this message•Even if it’s a tough one…

Signs on the road…

36  “Simon Peter *said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.” 37 Peter *said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.” 38 Jesus *answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.”

14 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the

way where I am going.” 5 Thomas *said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” 6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

John 13:36-14:6, NASB

•Jesus had just announced that one of them was a traitor•And then He told tough Peter he would deny Him 3 times•The heaviest blow of all: He is going to leave them (v33)•Where? Why? How?•So He calmed their troubled hearts

The boys were getting nervous

•He begins and this Scripture section with this admonition•How? By assuring them that they would eventually go to Heaven, and how they could be sure•Jesus didn’t rebuke Peter for asking “where” He was going, but His answer was cryptic

Let not your heart be troubled…

•Herein lies their fear, Vv36-38•It Shocked Peter and stunned the rest of them•If Big Bad Peter couldn’t stop Jesus’ death…•What hope was there for them?•Here’s the calming message

Eventually you’ll follow me…

•Vv 1-2, Heaven is real•Not a product of religious imagination or a psyched-up mentality•Heaven is God’s home and Jesus sits at His right side•Its described as a Kingdom

1.Heaven is a real place

“for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”

2 Peter 1:11, NASB

“for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”

2 Peter 1:11, NASB

•As an inheritance“…to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you…” 1 Peter 1:4, NASBAs a Country and a City

1.Heaven is a real place

“But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”

Hebrews 11:16, NASB

“But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”

Hebrews 11:16, NASB

“But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”

Hebrews 11:16, NASB

•And a home, V 2 (dwelling places)•In His Father’s House is our new home •Greek word ‘mon-e’ translated ‘mansions’ really means “rooms, abiding places”– not like tradition

1.Heaven is a real place

•Remember He was a carpenter•They will be beautiful•We’ll all be in the same house•The Bridegroom built onto the father’s house for his bride

1.Heaven is a real place

•Vv 3-5, Thomas’ question reveals his keen desire to be with the Lord and to be sure•When John later tries to describe it (Rev 21-22), it was difficult•Easier to describe what was NOT there– death, sorrow, crying, pain, night, darkness- Wonderful!

2. It’s a place of love and joy

•V 6– “Ego imeee’ hay ho-dos…’”•Jesus makes it clear He is going to the Father in heaven•Also that He is the ONLY WAY to get there •Hay Ho-dos means “exclusive road or path”•This may be difficult for you

3. It’s an exclusive place

•Completely wipes away any confusion•No ceremony, practices, works•No costly gifts, heirlooms, artifacts•No other religions, plans, or schools of thought

3. It’s an exclusive place

•Knowing Him assures our place in Heaven•Heaven is Exclusive, but Jesus is for Everyone!•The assurance of Heaven helped calm the disciples’ troubled hearts and helps us joyfully bear the obstacles and battles•I think this is what Paul meant when he said…

Here’s the Take-Away

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Romans 8:18, NASB

•Do you know Him?

Take-Away