John 14

A few weeks ago I preached on “life verses”. I explained how that topic had been brought to my attention when I was with our Middle School Youth on the last day of the Great Escape, their summer conference. As the conference preacher was preparing the youth and adults for leaving camp and settling back into life at home, he told us about “life verses” – particular scriptures that had spoken to him at different steps along his life journey. He said that these verses can become “the anthem of your life.”

I have spent a few weeks now sharing some life verses. As I end these reflections, I close with one of my favorite scriptures, Jesus’ own words to his friends and followers near the end of his earthly life:

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe^[a] in God, believe also in me. ²In 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?^{[b] 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.”^{[c] 5}Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” ⁶Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷If you know me, you will know^[d] my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:1-7

It’s all here. My relationship with Christ. My connection to God. And because of this, my earthly life is good and my life after this life is even better. It’s clear why I am neither anxious of afraid. It’s a good way to end and a good way to live.

Prayer

Wonderful God, help me focus my attention so closely on my Lord and Savior Jesus that I trust You to care for me whenever, however. It is in Jesus’ name that I lift this prayer. Amen.