A Series on Lent
Jesus comforts
his disciples
(Click
on the link below to read the verses.)
John 14:1-11
[Lent is
a 40-day season of personal reflection through prayer, fasting and
giving in order to prepare your heart to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at
Easter. We will be following Jesus through the Gospel of John as he enters
Jerusalem for Passover, and the ensuing events that led up to his trial,
crucifixion and resurrection.]
Tom Izzo is the Hall of Fame head coach of the Michigan State University men’s basketball
team.
This year marks the twenty-fifth consecutive year that he has led his team to the NCAA tournament known as March Madness. It’s more than any other coach in history. Because of his record, he’s been given the nickname of Mr. March.
At the end of February, the team was riding high scoring over 80 points
per game. But during the Big Ten Tournament, they lost to the second to the
bottom seeded team. Their confidence was shaken. How will Coach Izzo prepare
his team to face the challenges of March Madness?
The disciples were riding high as Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and later
was given a king’s reception into the city of Jerusalem. They were celebrating
the Passover together in the upper room when Jesus dropped a bombshell... one
of the disciples would betray him. Not only that, but Peter would deny him.
The disciples were shocked. Their confidence was shaken. Just when
everything appeared to be victorious, their world was turned upside down. How
will Jesus prepare his disciples to face the challenges of the next few hours?
Like Coach Izzo, Jesus will point to himself.
1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God,
and trust also in me. NLT
6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the
life. No one can come to the Father except through me. NLT
The disciples can trust Jesus because he’s the conduit to the Father. Not
only is he the conduit, but he and the Father are one.
9b ...Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! 10b …The
words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work
through me. NLT
Jesus also promises that he is preparing a place for them in his Father’s
home.
3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you,
so that you will always be with me where I am. NLT
The disciples lived with Jesus twenty-four seven for three years. They
trusted him through the good times and the bad. Now Jesus asked them to trust
him again. In the same way, Jesus asks us to trust him again.
These verses, these promises spoken to the disciples, are spoken to us
too. Jesus loves you. He’s faithful. He’s always with you. That’s way better
than Mr. March.
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