John 14:27-31 November 11, 2001
CCI: Because Jesus has given us his Peace and Love, we can go into an unknown and frightening future with confidence.
In 1999, producer Peter Weir, put out a movie that challenged the artificial and controlled life that so many of us lead. Truman Burbank, becomes for the world a true man, trapped in the only world he knows, a world created by the producer, controlled by the director, inhabited by actors and actresses. Slowly the truth dawns on him, he challenges the fears that have been engineered into his nature, and he starts searching for truth. The Producer tries to stop him, but love that he had discovered as a youth, combined with hope drives him on, until he comes to the end of his world and is faced with a choice.
Intro: Since 9-11, has their been a single day that you have not heard at least one time, "America has entered a new era and to one degree or another, nothing will ever be the same again."? Today on Veteran's Day we are reminded that men and women are in harm's way because of the unprecedented attack on our nation. They are working to restore a level of security and confidence by fighting for peace. While we face a frightening and uncertain future, the hope of peace is one of the center pieces in our nation's vision. Add to the thought of war the daily realities that people live, and you will find people all around you living on the edge. Whether you are a care giver for an aging parent or spouse, or dealing with health issues that loom like a question mark over your future, or wrestling with grief that holds you in it's icy grip, this morning you know the world is different.
You see, the hope for peace and the belief in unconditional love are at the core of who we are as human beings. We can not face uncertain times without this vision.
Jesus fully understood this truth. In chapters 12 and 13, Jesus spoke directly of his impending death. In this 14th chapter he spoke clearly of the fact that he would soon be leaving them. As the disciples listened to Jesus, the anxiety level in their little must have gone through the roof, he was leaving and there were going to be times of persecution. However, intermingled with the reality of His departure, are words of comfort. They would not be alone, the Holy Spirit would live with and within them. The Father would send the Holy Spririt. Jesus is going away to prepare a place for those who follow Him. Now, here at the end of the 14th chapter, Jesus introduces a new word, but not a new idea. It is a promise, wrapped in His Love, a promise that will give us confidence even in the face of a frightening and uncertain future.
Hear the Word of the Lord from John 14, beginning in verse 27:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
"You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
"Come now; let us leave."
As I studied this passage this week, I was amazed to discover that though Jesus offers comfort throughout John's gospel, this is the first time the word "peace" appears anywhere.
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give." The giving of peace is a common Hebrew greeting even today. The word "Shalom" is used both in welcome and in departure. The greeting "shalom" communicates a sense of expectancy and hope. When used as a greeting, it is a prayer that God will grant peace, and soundness, and welfare and completeness to your life. It is a word that communicates security and friendship. It implies tranquility, contentment and quietness. It is actually quite similar to the roots of "good-bye" which comes from the old English "God be with you."
Here, in this passage, we see that Jesus is taking this greeting with all it's significance, and transforming it from a greeting to a promise. No longer is it a prayer that God may grant peace, rather it is a gift that establishes peace. Jesus not only wishes that his friends will experience peace, he offers them a new experience of "shalom." It is a new kind of peace that is different than anything the world has ever known. It is not a hope, rather it is the gift of a reality. The disciples could face the uncertainty of the next hours and days because Jesus was giving them peace in the depth of their hearts.
As you enter an unknown and unpredictable future, peace I leave with you. As I depart to go to my father, take courage, peace I leave with you. As one of you will soon betray me, understand, peace I leave with you. When you think you are alone, remember, it is peace I leave with you. And today, Jesus continues to offer the same thing. Peace he leaves, peace he gives.
Throughout this chapter this has been his theme. I give you peace, now it is time to go forward. And that is what Jesus says now.
Look at verse 31 with me. The NIV takes the last phrase of verse 30 and puts it with verse 31 and we read: "He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
"Come now; let us leave."
The last phrase, "Come now, let us leave," is problematic in this passage. Chapters 13 and 14 are set in the upper room where the disciples have shared the meal of preparation for the Passover. Now Jesus tells his disciples it is time to leave, but it is not until the end of 17, we find they finally leave to go toward the Kidron Valley. How can we understand this statement?
I think an alternative translation for this passage, one that is not widely used, is very helpful in understanding what Jesus is saying. This verse can read, "That the world may learn that I love the Father and I do exactly what my Father has commanded me, let us go now." Rather than the disciples leaving the upper room because it is time to go, Jesus is calling them to go with him as a demonstration to the world that they love and obey the Father. He is not talking about their going to the Kidron Valley, rather he is talking about their going into the future believing that the love of God, and obedience to the Father will take them safely wherever they must go.
The most difficult step is often the first. Where will the strength come for tomorrow when everything has been drained? How can we go forward, when the climb seems too steep and the way too rough?
In the clip of the Truman Show that we watched earlier, we saw the true man take a step of faith into the night of the unknown. All his life he had been a slave to the predictable and the scripted. But he knew was that somewhere there was someone who loved him without condition and he believed there was a new life to be experienced.
Today, we stand before a door that opens into the unknown future. The world we have known is gone. Our national confidence shaken. Our sense of security wrenched away. Tomorrow will be different. But today, we have a choice. We can remain slaves of our past, trapped by our fears and our routines and stay where it is comfortable and predictable. Or, we accept the invitation of Jesus to demonstrate to the world that we love the Father and go out from this place into a dark world that needs His light. He leaves the choice up to us. Jesus said, "I am the door. The person who enters through me will be saved."
When Jesus and his disciples left that upper room, they walked into what looked like a trap. After crossing the Valley, Jesus was arrested, his disciples deserted him, he was sentenced to death and executed with common thieves. Some would suggest that Jesus made the wrong decision, that he should have built better relationships with the authorities. But Jesus' attention was not captured by the circumstances of the moment. He was focussed on his Father. And because he chose to demonstrate his love for the Father by going out, by passing through the door, everything has changed. When Jesus obediently went out, he became the door for all of us to follow him into a new life, a life he described as abundant life. After his execution, Jesus rose from death. By obediently going out, Jesus conquered death.
And so right now he is saying, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not like the world's peace. Don't be troubled, don't be afraid. That the world will learn that we love the Father and do exactly what the Father has commanded, let us go now." The choice is yours, don't be afraid of the Door. Jesus is calling us as individuals and as a congregation to new opportunities.
