23-0820a - Detailed Summary

The speaker greets the audience and introduces the 24^th lesson in a series on the "Great I Am" statements from the Gospel of John, specifically discussing Jesus' statement from John 14 as a three-part declaration.

Before the statement, significant events occurred including Lazarus' resurrection, which led to the high priests issuing a death sentence on both Lazarus and Jesus, escalating the tension leading to Jesus' crucifixion.

Martha honored Jesus with a dinner following Lazarus' resurrection, during which Mary anointed Jesus with expensive ointment, symbolically preparing him for burial, setting the stage for Jesus' last days.

The narrative shifts to Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, known as Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of the final week of his life on earth.

Jesus then cleansed the temple, symbolically and literally, by driving out those who were selling within it, an act of purification.

This act of cleansing is likened to the believers' need to purify themselves, as individuals are now considered the temple of God.

Jesus taught in the temple for four days, from Sunday to Wednesday, paralleling the biblical account of the Passover lamb being displayed for four days before its sacrifice.

This period was crucial as it showcased Jesus as the perfect, sinless lamb, in line with the Passover narrative in Exodus.

The speaker draws a parallel between the Passover lamb in Exodus and Jesus, emphasizing the significance of his public display before his crucifixion for the redemption of mankind.

The speaker reflects on the Passover’s historical context and Jesus' role as the firstborn of God, destined to be sacrificed for humanity’s salvation.

On Wednesday, during his teachings, Jesus received public divine confirmation of his identity and mission from God the Father, witnessed by many including visiting Greeks.

A voice from heaven confirmed Jesus' glorification, providing the third public testimony of his divine sonship and mission.

The scene shifts to the Last Supper in the upper room where Jesus and his disciples are gathered, the night Judas would betray him.

Jesus, moved emotionally, reveals that one among them would betray him, causing confusion and shock among the disciples.

Peter signals to John, who is close to Jesus, to find out who the betrayer is. The seating arrangement at the Last Supper is described, highlighting cultural dining practices of the time.

Jesus identifies Judas as the betrayer by giving him a piece of bread, simultaneously speaking to Satan, urging him to act quickly.

This moment is seen as Satan’s opportunity to tempt Jesus into sin, recalling earlier temptations in the desert.

Judas leaves the supper, marking that this was not the night of Passover but the night before, as leaving one’s home was prohibited during Passover.

Judas goes to the high priests, agreeing to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, setting the events of the Passion in motion.

With Judas gone, Jesus shares intimate teachings with his disciples, focusing particularly on John 14:1-6 for comfort and assurance.

Jesus continues teaching, reassuring his disciples about his departure to prepare a place for them, and the coming of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing peace and obedience to his commandments.

Jesus warns of his imminent departure and the arrival of the Prince of this world (Satan), yet asserts his authority and love for the Father.

The speaker reflects on the emotional state of the disciples, interpreting Jesus' words as comfort amidst their distress over predictions of betrayal, denial, and abandonment. The teachings challenge their expectations of a worldly kingdom, focusing instead on spiritual realities and Jesus' divine mission.

Jesus begins by offering comfort to his disciples and all who would hear his words, emphasizing not to let their hearts be troubled and to trust in God.

The speaker explains that from before creation, God had planned a solution to humanity’s sin problem through Jesus, who would serve as an atoning sacrifice to reconcile humanity with God.

Jesus reassures that through belief in him, people can look forward to an eternal reunion with God in heaven, not in the Garden of Eden but in a heavenly home, urging them not to worry or be anxious.

In a few hours, Jesus would fulfill his role as the perfect sin offering on the cross, bringing the plan of redemption to its peak. His words are meant to soothe and give hope, emphasizing trust, belief, and faith, which all stem from the Greek word "pisisou."

The speaker elaborates on the concept of trust in God, which also applies to Jesus, highlighting that Jesus would soon affirm his unity with the Father. This trust extends to belief in God’s love,

concern, and provision for us, echoing Peter’s later reflections in his second letter about God providing all necessary for life and godliness.

Jesus speaks of going to his Father’s house to prepare a place for his followers, not explicitly naming it heaven but implying it. This statement directs the disciples' focus towards their eternal home, countering various false teachings about heaven’s nature as a physical place prepared by Jesus.

The speaker refutes the notion that heaven is merely a state of mind or metaphor, emphasizing Jesus’s words that he is preparing an actual place for believers, underlining the importance of this eternal dwelling over the temporary earthly life.

Drawing from Paul’s teachings in 2 Corinthians, the speaker urges believers to focus on the unseen, eternal aspects rather than the temporary, seen world, likening current life to a cocoon stage before eternal life.

The importance of living according to Christian teachings is stressed, not just hearing or reading them but actively practicing them to prepare for heaven. This involves self-examination and purging oneself of sins that could prevent entry into heaven.

Scriptures from James and Hebrews illustrate how God’s word acts like a mirror for the soul, revealing one’s true self and prompting repentance for sins, which are seen as disobedience to God.

The speaker discusses the dangers of merely listening to God’s word without applying it, likening it to self-deception and slavery to sin, with James emphasizing that true freedom comes from obedience to the word.

The narrative shifts to the importance of obedience versus the rebelliousness exemplified by King Saul, where disobedience is equated with serious sins like sorcery and idolatry, highlighting the necessity of yielding to God’s will to avoid spiritual rebellion.

Further exploration of the biblical critique of disobedience through the story of Saul, stressing that refusal to follow God’s commands is akin to idolatry or witchcraft. The speaker calls for repentance and self-examination using the Word of God as a guide to discern and correct one’s inner thoughts and actions to align with divine expectations for eternal life.

The speaker warns against living a dual life or being double-minded, a state of hypocrisy which Jesus criticized in the scribes and Pharisees. Such a lifestyle, where one does not genuinely resist sin, could prevent entry into heaven.

Drawing parallels to the Pharisees, the speaker suggests that religious leaders today should be cautious not to fall into similar traps of hypocrisy, as outlined in Jesus’s condemnation in Matthew 23. Genuine repentance and change are necessary for those stirred by God’s Word, unlike the self-righteous Pharisees who believed they were nearly perfect.

Jesus promises to return after preparing a place in His Father’s house, providing insight into the sequence of events post-death and before His second coming. This includes what happens to believers and non-believers immediately after death.

Upon death, souls go to Hades, where believers rest in Abraham’s bosom or paradise, awaiting the resurrection. Unbelievers, however, are in torment, separated by a great chasm from the righteous, as described in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man.

The narrative continues with the rich man’s desperate plea for relief and warning to his brothers, highlighting the finality and permanence of one’s state after death. The only warning available to the living is through God’s Word - the Law and the Prophets.

At Jesus' second coming, there will be a resurrection for both the righteous and the wicked. The righteous will experience the resurrection of life, while the wicked face the second death, eternal damnation in the lake of fire with Satan.

The speaker refutes false teachings about a two-part resurrection or an earthly kingdom before the final resurrection, emphasizing that upon Christ’s return, judgment is immediate, and there’s no intermediate kingdom on earth.

Jesus’s clear intention is to bring believers to heaven with Him, as reiterated in John 14. The invitation is open to all to keep faith until the end, whether it be the end of one’s life or the end of time, to partake in the resurrection of life and have a home in heaven. The speaker concludes by urging the audience to accept Jesus and make things right with God.