5-3-26         Fifth Sunday of Easter

Gospel: John 14:1-14

[Jesus said to the disciples:] 1 “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.”

Mercy, peace, and life is yours from our Risen Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, who calls you, YOU, to be His!

In this gospel we have some comforting news, it is why it is read in many funeral services. Jesus is speaking to his disciples and wants them to understand the imperative fact of faith. He declares: “Believe in God; believe also in me!” With that as a basis, he declares that your hearts need not be troubled. Jesus knew that for him events were crowding swiftly together as the opposition applied more pressure and tactics to silence him. At the time of this discussion, Jesus is under a time constraint to complete his teaching among them. Very soon Judas’ betrayal will have Jesus taken away, and the confrontations that result in the crucifixion, will be overwhelming them. So those words: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” serve as a warning and the source of their security. He gives them the key, that means by which they will be kept going and be guided in how to continue forward.

We are very familiar with this concept of believing, we profess it, as we say the creed together, and we offer prayers to God because of it. We dare not take it for granted. So, I ask you today: Do you believe in God? Do you believe in Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life? During this Easter season we have been proclaiming that Jesus is risen!  Do you really believe it; that Jesus died on the cross yet conquered death, then rose in triumph? Do you welcome the knowledge that Jesus died for you? Do you believe?

If your answer is yes: How then does this gospel inform your faith, bring strength and reassure you? Perhaps you identify with Thomas as you hear him struggling to wrap his brain around Jesus’ words. He wants more details, perhaps a GPS guide, for he is wondering how this is all going to work. He says: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How then can we know the way?” It seems Thomas was the student that got stuck asking the questions the others were too timid to ask, even though they didn’t know the answers either. Thank goodness he asked, for now we have an explanation to hold on to: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” By means of Jesus we come to see the way we are to go. The way is not through the congregation, through the practices of centuries of ritual, not through the bishop or pastor. Jesus is the way. Truth is found in him and in the life He lived as an example for us. 

Okay, you say you believe. You have told me so. You profess this faith as we pray together, recite the Creed, and join in worship. In that case this gospel is meant for you! It also adds something else which is particularly significant. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. If you believe, then things will happen, works will result. Does it mean you take up a mission, going from place to place, caring for the sick, teaching about the kingdom of God?  Maybe, but that narrow application would be too small to get the job done. Jesus calls you from within your life, to use your skills and interests, to do the work of him in whom you believe, utilizing your personal situation.

Let me tell you about Ralph. One day a man walked into Ralph’s Auto & Truck Repair. He asked to speak to Ralph.  “That’s my rig parked outside,” he explained. “The company I drive for is looking for a place to service our trucks when our drivers pass through this area.”

Ralph looked at the rig and assured the man that he and his crew worked on trucks like that all the time. 

“Good.” He paused, “Now, listen. From time to time, I may ask you to add a few parts and services to the bill. After you get paid, you keep a little extra cash for yourself and give me the rest when I come through. It is an arrangement I have with several mechanics who work for us.”

“Not going to happen,” Ralph said sternly. 

“Hey, I drive through here several times a month," the trucker said, “this could be a sweet deal for both of us.”

“Not interested,” Ralph said.  

“Only a fool would pass up a deal like this…”

Ralph had heard enough! “That is not the way I do business.” He turned to go back into the garage. 

“It is not the way I do business either,” said the rep. smiling. “I own this trucking company. I am looking for a mechanic that I can trust. I didn’t mean to offend you, but I have been burned by a driver a few years back. Ever since I am extra careful.”

“Not all mechanics are out to make a quick buck.” Ralph said, “I assure you everyone who works for me is above playing games like that. I realize you have to be careful.”   

“So will you take us on?” the owner asked.

Ralph extended his hand to his new customer. “I think we can work together.”

We have a practical illustration from Ralph, one that is lived out in day-to-day encounters, built from one’s values and what guides decisions and actions. For men and women of authentic faith, it is not enough to admire Jesus and merely listen to his teachings. One is to do more than recite beliefs at worship services. When we believe in God, that faith compels us to catch the spirit of this gospel message and live our lives in Jesus’ image. Jesus expects us to be church! The way in which we are led takes us out there. You may learn things you need to take with you when you are in the church. In here, you will pray for guidance and be reminded of the Word. You share in a Meal in this place, making you part of a whole family of believers who support each other and work together. But anything done, learned or sung in here is preparation and practice for what happens outside these doors. There are people out there who need your witness and your example. 

Don’t let your heart be troubled, be brave! Jesus has given his promise that as you are doing His work you will have Him for backup. As He said: "I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."  Jesus will fulfill his promise because Jesus is with us now.  

Jesus is risen!