COMFORT

Do God's words comfort you?  The Bible has been a source of comfort for many people for over two thousand years.  Do you know the Gospel?  The four books of the one gospel were written by four different disciples.  The book of John was written last.  It was probably written at the request of the church which already had the first three gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke).  The church wanted something more spiritual and deep to enable them to grow spiritually.

John shows the depth of Christ's teaching in his gospel.  John's gospel is for the believer, it strengthens faith in God through Jesus Christ the Son.  John devotes more of his gospel to the time just prior to the Crucifixion.  He relates to us what it was like to be in the presence of our Lord.

Jesus had been telling the disciples that He was going to be Crucified.  This was difficult for them to understand, they were looking for Him to become the King.  At one of the suppers Jesus had with His disciples He provided comfort for them.  This same comfort is for us today.  It is related to us in John, chapter 14.

John 14:1-4
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (KJV)


Jesus is lifting these men (His Disciples) to new heights, providing them with additional insight into His role as a Savior of mankind.  There in the Upper Room, just prior to going to the cross, our Lord was attempting to direct their attention from the earthly to the heavenly, or from the material to the spiritual.   He told them that they knew where He was going and that they know How to follow Him, how to abide with Him forever.

John 14:5
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? (KJV)

One of the disciples by the name of Thomas asked Jesus a very good question, one that all of us would have liked to ask.  Thanks to Thomas we now all have our Lord's answer; The Gospel in a Nutshell.

John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)


I am now going to quote two paragraphs from Dr. J. Vernon McGee's book describing and providing insight into this verse of scripture...

The article in the Greek is an adjective.  Jesus said, "I am the way."  He is not just a person who shows the way, but He, personally, is the way.  No church or ceremony can bring you to God.  Only Christ can bring you to God.  He is the way.  Either you have Christ or you don't have Him; either you trust Him or you don't.  Also Jesus said that He is the truth.  He isn't saying that He tells the truth, although He does do that.  He is the truth!  He is the bureau of standards for truth, the very touchstone of truth.  And He is the life.  He isn't simply stating that He is alive.  He is the source, the origin of life from the lowest vegetable plane of life to the highest spiritual plane of life.

"No man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  He made a dead-end street of all the cults and "isms."  He says the only way to God is through Him.  That is a dogmatic statement!  Years ago a student out at UCLA told me he didn't like the Bible because it is filled with dogmatism.  I agreed with him that it is.  He especially selected this verse and said, "That's dogmatic."  I said, "It sure is, but have you realized that it is characteristic of truth to be dogmatic?  Truth has to be dogmatic."[1]

Dr. McGee went on to clarify that not all dogmatism is truth - there is a lot of ignorance that is dogmatic.  However, that which is truth has to be dogmatic.

I rest very comfortably in the knowledge of the saving grace of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  By the study of His Holy Word I can know Him and He will know me.  I am one of His and He has prepared a place for me.  When my body ends it's earthly journey, Jesus will welcome my spirit into His presence, He will know me as one of His own.

Do you know Jesus on a personal basis today, if you do not know Him and listen to His words I strongly recommend that you become acquainted today.  You can accomplish this by asking the Holy Spirit to grant you the wisdom to understand His Word and His will for you.  Then open His Book and receive His many blessings.  You will soon understand what peace and serenity is all about.  Put your life and trust in His hands,

References:
[1] "Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee"; Thru The Bible Radio, Pasadena, California; Vol. 4, pages 459-460..

This page was created on 4/3/02.
By: Dean Christensen


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Background Midi:
What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Ev’rything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Ev’rything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer:
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our ev’ry weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
Take it to the Lord in prayer:
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee;
Thou wilt find a solace there.