A Place for You

In last week's blog (Their Eyes Were Opened, May 3, 2020), I suggested we need a different way of reading and understanding scripture. We naturally read through the lens of what we already believe, looking for validation of our beliefs and values and positions on moral issues. Such was the way the two disciples, walking to Emmaus, had read their scriptures. In doing so, they had missed the truth of what scripture said about the messiah. So Jesus had to teach them what the scriptures said about the messiah and the messiah's work. He taught them to read scripture through a different lens. As a result, they experienced God's work in their own lives.

Today's gospel reading from the common lectionary - John 14:1-14 - illustrates how our what-I-already-believe way of reading scripture prevents us from seeing the truth scripture is teaching.

"I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:3). Jesus' words are commonly understood as a reference to heaven. The text is understood as Jesus assuring us of a place in heaven for us when we die. (How often have you heard this text and this understanding used at a funeral?) This understanding views "my Father's house" (verse 2) as a reference to heaven. "I will come again" (verse 3) is understood as a reference to the second coming of Jesus. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (verse 6) is understood to mean believing in Jesus is a prerequisite for going to heaven.

But a careful reading of the full text indicates Jesus was speaking about something other than going to heaven when we die. Jesus was actually teaching a greater reality than heaven!

"My Father's house" is a reference to family relationships. In Jesus's patriarchal culture, to speak of my father's house was to speak of being a part of the father's family. Thus, "my Father's house" speaks of relationship rather than location (i.e., heaven). Thus, in this text, Jesus was talking about relationship with God. A recurring theme is John's gospel is that Jesus came from the Father and was going to the Father. So when verse 3 speaks of "where I am there you may be also," Jesus was speaking of being with the Father. He specifically says this in verse 28, "if you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father." Jesus was speaking of preparing a place for us in relationship with the Father as a beloved child. He was teaching us to live in relationship with the Father as he did - "there you may be also." Verse 6 speaks of coming to the Father, i.e., having a relationship with the Father. Verses 7-9 speak of knowing Jesus as the means of knowing the Father.  This knowing is not an intellectual knowing about the Father (i.e., facts about God) but a knowing by experience - by living in relationship with Jesus. "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" (verse 9). To know Jesus is to know the Father.

In this great text, Jesus was talking about preparing a place for us in relationship with God. The place he prepared is as a beloved child who lives in relationship with God as Father and shares God's life - here and now, on earth, NOT in heaven after we die.

Because we live in relationship with the Father, we share God's life (eternal life) here and now. We do the works Jesus did, "even greater works than these" (verse 12). Because we live in relationship with the Father, we are able to ask in prayer and receive (verse 14). We are able to keep Jesus's commandments (verse 15), specifically the commandment to love.

This here-and-now relationship with the Father is experienced through the indwelling Spirit (verse 16-17). The Spirit abides with us and in us (verse 17). "I will come again" (verse 3), rather than being a reference to the second coming, refers to the gift of the Spirit . "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you" (verse 18). The means by which Jesus comes to us is the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit, Jesus lives with us and in us. In the Spirit, both Jesus and the Father indwell us. "We will come to them and make our home with them" (verse 23). The relationship (place) Jesus prepared for us is complete: God lives in us through the Spirit and we live in Christ.

Because of this relationship, the Spirit (Helper or Advocate) empowers us to do the things Jesus did (verse 12). The Spirit teaches us everything Jesus taught about God and the ways of God (verse 26). Through the Spirit, we experience God's peace (verse 27). Through the Spirit, the life of Christ flows through us, bearing fruit (chapter 15). We are able to love one another as Jesus loved us (John 15:12).

Our what-I-already-believe way of reading scripture causes us to miss spiritual truth the scripture teaches. In doing so, it causes us to miss the life God has for us. Even more, it causes us to miss God.

Thank you, Father, for the place you have made for us in your heart. Help us to prepare a place for you in our hearts. Come, Spirit. Teach us to live as beloved children of God, doing the things Jesus did, loving as Jesus loved.