Take the Sorrow out of Good-bye

April 20, 2008 by admin.

In about a month many high school and college students will be graduating. That is always a pretty exciting time for them. High school students may be looking forward to moving on to college, or some other chapter of their lives, while college students might be looking forward to entering the work force. But while it is a very exciting time, it can also be a very sad time. Many realize that they will have to say “good-bye” to many of the friends that they have made in school. Saying “good-bye” can be a very emotional experience for some people. The emotions will likely be even higher if you know that it is a permanent “good-bye” that is being said.

The disciples sat with stunned looks on their faces when Jesus announced to them that he was going to have to say “good-bye”. The joy and excitement of the Passover meal that they were sharing with Jesus was suddenly interrupted by Jesus’ announcement that he would be leaving them, and leaving very soon. They words of our text are Jesus’ explanation to his disciples abut why he was going to leave, and his attempt to take the sorrow out of his announcement. Let’s listen to see how Jesus tried to

“Take the Sorrow out of Good-bye”

I. With the Promise of a Blessed Reunion
II. With the Promise of Continued Care

The words of our text were a part of Jesus’ conversation with his disciples on Maundy Thursday. He knew that he was going to be betrayed, tried, and crucified within 24 hours. He also knew that 40 days later he would be leaving the earth to return to his home in heaven. These events would be very difficult for his disciples to understand. As Jesus talked to his disciples, he comforted them and tried to prepare them for what they were about to witness.

Jesus aid to them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in my. 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. 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.”

During the past 3 years, the disciples had grown very close to Jesus. They had been with him through good times and bad. They had seen him perform miracles and preach with power and authority. They had seen people’s lives changed by him, while others had become extremely angry because of him. Now, in a quiet moment, Jesus had announced that he was about to leave them and return to heaven.

Jesus didn’t say this to hurt his disciples or to cause them any worry or concern. He already saw that their hearts “were troubled.” The word used here describes water that is churned up like rough surf. I’m sure you’ve felt that emotion. It’s the emotion you get when a police car suddenly turns on its lights or when you get called to the principal’s office. Even though you may have done nothing wrong and might not be in any trouble, there’s that initial instance of fear and nervousness.

Jesus removed that fear from his disciples with a promise. He promised that, although he was leaving, he would return. He was going to get a place ready so that they might one day be able to come and stay with him, forever. Confidently Jesus promised, “I am going,” and “I will come back.” There was no doubt in his words and his confidence brought peace and reassurance to his disciples.

But there was something that was still bothering them. “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Not fully grasping Jesus’ words, Thomas assumed that Jesus was talking about an earthly route somewhere. He wanted Jesus to let them know where he was going so they could join him in a little while.

Jesus cleared up their misconceptions saying, “I am the way and the truth and the life. Ho one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Jesus encouraged his disciples to stop looking at him only from and earthly point of view. He wanted them to understand that he was more than just a good friend, a constant companion, and an earthly provider. He was the Messiah, their only hope for an eternal life in heaven.

Our faith in Jesus helps us to see him as our Messiah, our Savior. We read the stories of the Bible that tell of his love and compassion. We hear his words of wisdom and advice. But we know that there was more to Jesus than just a humanitarian heart. We know that he had a much higher goal, and much more important purpose for his life. He had come to be our Savior. He had said, No one comes to the Father, except through me.”

From the time that we were young, we were told that God is in heaven. We were taught that God’s Son came down from heaven and became a man. We heard the story again recently of his crucifixion and resurrection. So even though none of us has ever seen Jesus, or watched God on his throne in heaven, or had a direct conversation with the Holy Spirit, we all believe that we will be with them one day. Many deny that. They don’t believe what we believe. But we’re not upset or afraid. We don’t doubt our faith because God’s Holy Spirit has convinced us that Jesus’ words are true. Jesus has gone back to heaven, and we are waiting for him to come back to take us to be with him. That promise has taken the sting out of his “good-bye.”

The disciples had a very personal relationship with Jesus. Now he was going to be leaving them. But Jesus wanted them to know that he would never truly “leave” them. He wanted them to know that he would always be with them to give them his continued support in all that they did.

• 2. The Promise of Continued Care

This time it was Philip who spoke up. He didn’t understand how Jesus going to heaven was going to be a benefit to them. They had important work to do, work that Jesus himself had mostly done up to that point. They had always just been his followers, his assistants. Now what would they do? Philip had a suggestion. “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Philip wanted a special vision, some tangible proof that Jesus wasn’t just leaving them to be gone once and for all. If they could just see the Father, whom Jesus had said he was going back to, they would feel better.

Jesus told them that they didn’t need that special vision. They already had evidence and proof of God the Father. He said, Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?” What Jesus was referring to is what we sometimes call the mystery of the Trinity. Maybe you remember that triangle from your Catechism days. Three equal sides, but only one object. The corners were each labeled, “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” and they were all connected in the middle to the word “God.” While each person was separate and distinct, they were all one in that they were all God. Don’t worry if you don’t understand it. It’s something that God simply tells us, he doesn’t expect us to understand it, in fact, we can’t. It’s too big for us, too complicated for our sinful minds. But it is, none the less, true.

Jesus explained, “The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is my Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.” The disciples couldn’t forget the miracles. They all confirmed everything that Jesus said about himself. He said he loved people, and he healed the sick and even raised the dead. Jesus said that he cared for people body and soul, and proved it by dong miracles to provide food when it was needed. He said that he wanted to bring salvation through faith, and he offered forgiveness. When his ability to make such an offer was questioned, he once told a paralyzed man to get up and walk, and he did! If Jesus could do that, he could also offer the forgiveness that he promised. And now Jesus promised his disciples that his divine power would go with them, even though he himself would be returning to heaven.

In our text, Jesus left the disciples with one final word of encouragement. “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” What “greater things” are being done? While Jesus limited his ministry to a small area, his word is going out around the world. While Jesus spoke to only a few thousand people in his three year ministry, millions are now hearing his word. While Jesus never baptized any one and only gave communion to a few, thousands upon thousands have now benefited from these sacraments, because God’s people have gone out and carried on the work that he began. Truly, miracles are happening every day as God’s word and sacraments convey his love and power around the world.

No, Jesus may not be with us in person today. But there are no tears of sorrow in our eyes brought on by his “good-bye.” We know where he is and why he is there. And we know that until his promise to return and take us to be with him is fulfilled, his love and power will be with us here while we live for him and do his will. Graduation days bring joy and sorrow, and Jesus farewell to his disciples did the same. But the joy drowns out the sorrow every time that we hear him say, “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” Hold on to that promise, now, and in eternity. Amen.

”The peace of God….”
–Rev. Roger Rockhoff

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