Jesus' Last Will and Testament

-7-23                           Sermon Notes            “Jesus’ Last Will and Testament”

Have you ever been really upset and had someone to say to you, “Just calm down!” Did that work? Probably not. It might have even served to ramp your stress level even higher. And yet… Isn’t that the message Jesus is giving his disciples in John 14? 

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can 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 except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe because of the works themselves.12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (John 14: 1-14, 25-27 NRSV)

Did the disciples have reason to be troubled? You bet! Jesus had just told them that one in their group was a traitor, that all of them would deny Him, and that He would leave them that night. BUT - Jesus would not leave them empty-handed. They would inherit some things from Jesus. And we are “heirs,” too!

See you Sunday,

Pastor Sam