SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT: THE RETURN OF THE BRIDEGROOM

This week in our series, Seek Peace and Pursue It, we turn to a familiar but powerful passage of scripture, John 13:36-14:7.  These are some of Jesus’s last words to his disciples before the crucifixion.  Jesus was preparing them for the fear, uncertainty, and trauma that was about to happen.  Jesus is using an image that they understand, but not one that is familiar to us.  The Jewish wedding ritual was an intricate process which focused on the preparation of the bride and the coming of the bridegroom.  Jesus is assuring them through this image that he is truly God’s Son and he will keep his promise to them.  What does this mean to us?  In the sermon, Return of the Bridegroom, we realize that peace is based upon a confidence in God’s promises to us.  It is an option because Jesus is dependable and trustworthy.  John is writing these words to all future believers to help them realize that even in the most difficult moments and in the darkest night, there is peace and the light of the resurrection’s power.    We pray that this light shines upon you as you read John 13:36-14:7: 36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” 37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”  38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!  John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”  5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (NIV)