Hope in troubled times

​We’re in the week past Easter and little seems to have changed around us.  In these troubled times there seems to be scarce hope or assurance that things will get better.  Every day we open the newspaper, watch the news or scan the internet we find more bad news: terror attacks, political strife, soaring real estate prices, declining wealth…then there’s the whole environmental picture! Its makes you want to stay in bed and pull the covers over your head!
 
Jesus’ disciples had the same sort of experiences themselves. They would get discouraged, doubt, have fear. Many had given up their livelihood, were ostracized by society and so struggled. 
 
We read the hope and assurance Jesus offered to them in John 14:1-6. He said to them: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
 
We’ve been studying the idea of the hope found around Easter recently at GBC.  One of the things we’ve been considering is the hope that come through our final destination as secured by Jesus through the cross and empty tomb.  This is a hope that helps through bad days.  We who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior don’t need to worry regardless of how bad things get. That’s the assurance he gave his disciples in this passage and extends to those who are his disciples today.
 
Even more than that, Jesus also said: “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. You know the way to the place where I am going."
 
We have hope based on the assurance he has not only prepared a place for us but he’s coming again. When he comes back, everything will be made right.
 
But  doubt creeps in at times, especially when things get tough. 
 
The disciple Thomas doubted; he wasn’t sure.  So he asked Jesus: "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
 
Here is perhaps one of the most profound statements of the whole New Testament, but the one that gets those of us who say there is only one way to heaven in trouble.
 
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  Jesus himself, great teacher, man of compassion, kind and loving person he was states categorically if you want to get to heaven, it’s only through him.
 
No other way…not by your good deeds…not by being a good person…not by hoping you go…..no, only through him. But also, be THANKFUL you won’t be measured based on your works, good deeds or faithfulness…most of us would fall WAY short.  Again, hope based on the assurance that anyone who calls on the name of the Lord  Jesus Christ  will be saved.
 
He has gone to prepare a place for us, that’s what Good Friday and Easter are about. Through Jesus death, burial and yes, resurrection, he made this possible.
 
We can take hope from the assurance he gives us. If you lack hope, you lack assurance.  Look at your relationship with Jesus. Do you have one? If not, if you’re not sure, then get one. Ask me, an elder here at GBC or a mature Christian believer to explain to you how to have a hope based on the assurance of Jesus Christ. When that happens, you won’t worry again.
 
Will you be concerned when you look outside and see the reality of our topsy-turvy world? Sure, we all are. But you won’t worry because there’s a room in heaven waiting for you, all prepared, pillow fluffed, temperature just perfect, fuzzy robe on the bed, awesome view….waiting.

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