Jesus’ Departure to Heaven

John 14:1-12

“Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions.[a] If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.[b] 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that you may also be where I am. 4 You know where I am going, and you know the way.”

5 “Lord, we don’t know where you are going,” Thomas replied, “so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. 7 If you know me, you would also know my Father.[c] From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

8 “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that is enough for us.”

9 “Have I been with you so long,” Jesus answered, “and you still do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I am telling you I am not speaking on my own, but the Father who remains in me is doing his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me. Or else believe[d] because of the works themselves.

12 “Amen, Amen, I tell you: The one who believes in me will do the works that I am doing. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.

Have you ever had to say "good-bye?" Maybe it was because of moving to a different house. Or changing schools. Or loosing a loved one to death.

The disciples eventually had to say "good-bye" to their friend Jesus. They had grown very close with Him over the three years of His earthly ministry. They had faced dangers together. They had learned so much from His teaching. And His miracles proved that Jesus was no ordinary friend. He is true God! He is the best friend to have. And yet, He wasn't going to stay on this earth forever.

It was on Maundy Thursday, the night before His death, that Jesus revealed the betrayer Judas. He also told Peter: "you will deny me three times.” The disciples' hearts and souls were in turmoil.

During this difficult moment, Jesus spoke words of great comfort. The words of our sermon text are some of the most comforting words in Scripture. Jesus directed the disciples from all their worries, to trusting in Him and thinking about heaven.

You see, Jesus wasn't only preparing His disciples for His crucifixion the next day, but also for His ascension. Forty days after the resurrection, Jesus rose before the disciples' eyes back into heaven. His departure isn't sad news for us. Instead, it reveals that He is one with the Father, it reveals that He is the only way to heaven, and it gives us comfort during our earthly pilgrimage.

In the Lord's Prayer, we say: "Our Father, who art in heaven." God the Father's home is in heaven. He rules an eternal kingdom. And Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, is one with the Father. We hear in Deuteronomy: "Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God. The Lord is one!" God is one. There are three persons of the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As one with the Father, the Son's home is also in heaven. Along with the Father, Jesus also rules a kingdom that will not perish.

This is incredibly important. Those who do not believe that the Father and Son are one cannot be saved. Sure, many in the world are willing to admit that Jesus was a true man. Some will talk about how Jesus was a "nice guy." Even different religions, such as Islam, will acknowledge that Jesus was a real person. But that's not truly "knowing" Jesus. Jesus says: "If you know me, you would also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." The Son of God is of the same essence as the Father. The Father is in constant and loving communion with the Son.

Therefore the words that Jesus spoke are not only His words. They are the Father's, too. Just as with the miracles. The disciples had heard, seen, and experienced not only the works of Jesus, but also the Father's. Jesus is in the Father, because He is true God. And the miracles Jesus performed is evidence that proves this is true. Those who truly see this have faith. Jesus explains "If you know me, you would also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." The words of Jesus are backed up with His works.

Jesus patiently explained all of this to the disciples, including the clueless Philip. It appears that along with the rest of the disciples, Philip had a hard time understanding why Jesus was sent to earth. Philip wanted to see a display of almighty power. He wanted to see the divine! He wanted to see the Father Himself. He wanted a heavenly kingdom right here on earth. But Philip didn't realize that God is revealed through suffering and the cross.

Jesus is such a stark contrast to the philosophy of the world. The world is focused upon power, and money. There is no place for the humble Jesus. And other religions, too, see no need for Jesus. All false religions teach that you work your way up to heaven. They might even promise you earthly happiness and success. Everything is about how hard you work. And what you do.

The sinful nature has the wrong priorities. It avoids Jesus. It doesn't see Him as important. It thinks that the way to heaven is by doing good works. It doesn't only look to works, but it also worships the world. It thinks it can have all the pleasures of this world and still make it to heaven. It thinks it can sleep in on Sunday morning. It thinks it's ok to let church attendance fade off into unimportance, until you don't care whether you come at all. It thinks that it's ok to prioritize money, or family, over Jesus.

But Jesus clearly says: “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me." God the Father loves you so much, that He was willing to send His only Son into this world to be hurled into the fiery pit. It's on the cross, that Jesus received the sins of the entire world. Your sins of self-righteousness, and prioritizing other things over Jesus were placed upon Him. God the Father forsook Jesus upon the cross. He suffered the punishment of hell you and I deserve. He suffered your death.

The cross doesn't look powerful. It doesn't look wonderful. But it's there that we see the Father's love for you and me. It's only there that we truly see the Father. It's only through Jesus and His precious blood shed for you and me. On account of the suffering, death and resurrection of His Son, the Father declares the world forgiven. You can only come to the Father through the Son.

Jesus went back to the Father after the resurrection. As true God, He has full access to the Father. He belongs in the mansions above. He went back into heaven because His work is done! He accomplished the forgiveness of your sins. He now intercedes on your behalf before the Father.

Jesus is the Way. The ascension of Jesus reveals that He is the only way into heaven. On our own, we cannot enter.

Jesus is the Truth. He is the one who gives the guidance of truth in a world of confusion and doubt. His words are perfect. There is no true knowledge without Him.

Jesus is the Life. He is the bridge over spiritual death. He brings us to eternal life both physically and spiritually. By faith in Him we are united to God. And by faith in Jesus, the Way, you will also ascend to heaven on the last day. You have crossed over the deep chasm of death, to life.

The departure of Jesus also gives us comfort during our time here on earth. Jesus says: "Do not let your heart be troubled. 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 am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me."

Our life has much to be anxious about. It's easy for our heart to be in turmoil, like a ship on a stormy sea. But everything on this earth is temporary. God has a bigger plan for you and me. Through faith in Jesus, we also belong in heaven with the Father! Trust Jesus, just as He encouraged His disciples to trust in Him on the dark night before His death. Jesus says: "Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." God knows what you're going through. He knows the difficult storms you face, and he's in control. He doesn't sleep. So don't worry. You have a place in heaven, specially prepared for you. Regardless of how things feel here on earth, you have a place of holiness, joy, perfection, and splendor. Jesus suffered and died so that you can live there. And He will come back and get you.

So while we wait, keep your eyes focused on heaven. Stay in the Way. Come to church, where you are strengthened during your journey. It is here where Jesus comes to you through Word and sacrament. You see Him and the Father with eyes of faith. And it is here where you are forgiven. Christ's perfection is yours! Let your anxious and troubled heart be comforted. Jesus is Your Way, Your Truth, and Your Life.

Jesus' departure into heaven doesn't mean that He'll be gone forever. And through faith in Jesus, our "good-byes" to our friends and family in Christ will not be forever, either. This earth is just temporary. Our true home is above. Jesus has departed to heaven in order to prepare a place for you. And by faith in Him, you will too. Thanks be to God for providing the Way. Amen.

May 7th, 2023

Pastor Samuel Johnson