FIRST READING: Acts 7.55-end
NEW TESTAMENT READING: 1 Peter 2.2-10
GOSPEL: John 14.1-14
It was a time when Jesus had a clear idea of the things that are going to happen. He is going to be arrested, falsely accused and unjustly condemned and then tortured and crucified. Even at this time he was not worried how he is going to bear all these things, he was rather more worried about his disciples. He had given them some idea of the things that are going to happen and naturally they were troubled in their hearts. It is quite natural to be troubled when we hear a sad news, or news that we did not expect, or when one has to face a uncertain future.
The gospel reading is what Jesus told his disciples who were so shaken troubled and worried. Jesus gave his disciples certain assurances to face the future.
The first assurance is ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me’. Believing in Gd and believing in Jesus gives us the strength to calm our troubled minds. ‘Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen’. Believing in God who is faithful calms our fears and anxieties.
The second assurance is that he is going but he is going to prepare a place for all those who believe and there is going to be a time where we will be with him forever. Where I am you may be there also. The ultimate goal is to be with him, the final never ending life with Christ. Jesus is the way the truth and the life and the invitation is to follow him, live by his truth and find the life that he gives.
The third assurance Jesus gives is much more phenomenal, believing in him gives us the power to face life. The power Jesus shares with those who believe in him. ‘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.’ He is going to the father and we are not able to see him but we can experience his power. Believing in Jesus gives us the enormous power to do the things that he did and Jesus goes a step further and says, you can do much greater things than the things I did. Jesus also encourages us saying, ‘If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it’. This is the ultimate assurance Jesus gives his disciples like us. Look up to me in prayer than being worried and troubled. He is there to answer prayers and help us in or troubles.
We are a community of believers, who believe that Jesus is the Lord and our God. We are a community of believers who are following in the footsteps of Jesus. We are a community of believers who draw our power from Jesus who empowers us as we pray to him, bringing before him our troubles and anxieties. . The apostle Peter writes to the church something very beautiful and profound, ‘let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ’ In believing, Following and praying we are built into a spiritual house, a royal priesthood of God offering spiritual sacrifices to God.
Peter adds on to say that we are not nobodies but, a ‘chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light’.