The Best Part

Read This Week: John 14

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; also believe in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that 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 so that you also may be where I am. I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:1-3, 6 NIV.

A pastor once stood up at a funeral to memorialize a longstanding church member. The former congregant was a respected person in the community and the church. He had been a devoted husband, Father, brother, and friend. He lived a good life, positively impacted people, and served others in ministry and the marketplace. Many people attended his funeral to pay their respects and support those closest to him. When the time of the eulogy came, the pastor walked to the podium, said a few opening remarks, and then read these verses:

Jesus said, Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; also believe in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that 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 so that you may be where I am.

And then he stopped right there. The minister didn’t go any further. In his attempt to offer hope to family and friends about the eternal destination of their dearly departed loved one and to offer the same to the listening audience, he left out the best part. He omitted the part of the passage that ties everything else together, that makes the promise of heaven in the presence of God possible. He inexplicably disregarded verse 6: I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The best part is that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. That’s the central message of the Gospel. Without verse 6, nothing else has veracity or promise. Without the best part, eternity loses its assurance, and life loses its meaning and purpose. Without verse 6, hope beyond the grave is just an optimistic thought of a dreamer. Without the best part, life is nihilistic at worst and whimsical at best. If Jesus is not the way, the truth, and the life, then no one is coming to the Father, and the expectation and joy of an eternity in God’s presence would not lend beauty and meaning to a life lived for Him.

The best part of the story is that we can know Jesus Christ and have a relationship with God. Without its reality and power, we don’t get the infinite enjoyment of the Father’s House. Without the sureness and authority of verse 6, the place He speaks about in verses 2-3 will not be there. The certainty and capacity of Jesus’ words, let us know that He is coming back. This fact is how we don’t let our hearts be troubled.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Life is in Him, and He has gifted that life to us. Jesus is the source of the light of this life and the author of eternity. He spoke the words of life and said we might have it more abundantly. Through Him is communion with Almighty God. He is the truth and the only way. Verse 6 is the best part. Please don’t leave it out.

6 Comments

  1. Jeri Centers on December 6, 2022 at 7:41 pm

    John 14 verse 27
    Jesus is the king of peace. He is the
    Source of all peace. If we have Jesus
    As Savior and Lord , we have nothing
    That should trouble us, not even threat
    Of death. If we die to this world, we
    Shall live to Him.

    God is saying

    You know where your destination is. You
    have have hope of internal life. This world is
    Not your home, your just passing through.
    This tells you not to worry!! The world
    Cannot give you security. I am your security.

  2. Sam on December 6, 2022 at 8:46 pm

    Today God gave me John C14 V 4
    You know the way to the place I am going.
    And what he shared with me was.
    “My son you have traveled a long way during
    Your life here on earth. But you traveled the back roads
    Away from the path I had laid out for you. But you
    Have come a long way. And now you know the way to where I am. And that is through the love that you have found for Me and the love of those lost to Me. To share Me with them. And through that you will find your way
    Home to Me.
    And what that means to me. is that He has given
    Us all the True way home. And it is through His
    Love to others. We have all paved many roads in
    Our live here on earth. But we now know our true path is from Him and that is all we need

  3. Javaid Ahmed on December 7, 2022 at 12:29 pm

    God pulled my attention to John 14 Verses 25-26

    25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

    What God said to me about this is:
    “When I give you directives and I give you wisdom I do not expect you to remember everything, as that would surpass human capability. I do however expect you to hear my reminders, my pull, the spirit showing you the way and guiding you. Just as if you would listen to Me, I want you to listen and pay attention to the ways I speak with you; sometimes more than words.”

    What this means to me is that God is speaking with us directly, indirectly, metaphorically, visually, verbally, and throughout all of our senses. We have a direct relationship with God but we also have an indirect relationship meaning that God is everywhere and providing signs, miracles, guidance and leadership in every breath we take. God is multidimensional to an infinite degree and the more we can fill our hearts with Him in every possible way, the more at peace with glory we will be. God is so infinitely wonderful! Thank you, God.

  4. reachchurch on December 11, 2022 at 12:19 pm

    This Week in the Life: John 14

    For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, then the message, and then the second song.

    1. Sunday Worship: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-1211-Worship1.wav
    2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-1211-Message.wav
    3. Sunday Worship: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-1211-Worship2.wav

    Join the Party Line Live – Schedule: https://reachchurch.org/connect

  5. Alma on December 11, 2022 at 1:25 pm

    This week I have a song from pastor kens message and John chapter 14 verse 27
    Peace
    Let’s come together singing to our Lord let’s come together singing to our Lord the one who gives us peace the truth, the way, let’s not let our hearts be troubled or afraid doing things the worlds way let’s go to the one who gives us love joy comfort ,let our Lord show us the way, let’s follow our Lord sharing his love his peace, knowing he is the light of the world, the light of the world Let’s come together, singing to our Lord let’s come together singing to our Lord. Amen.

    There is only one way to have peace in our hearts, and that is the power of our Lord. Those who follow our Lord will have the life of love, joy, and peace. Amen

  6. Heidi on December 12, 2022 at 12:08 pm

    John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another [c]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever—

    I love love this chapter because Father God gave us Jesus and Jesus is looking out for us and He gave us His Holy Spirit to be with us forever
    He is our helper, we can count on Him to counsel us, strengthen us, the list goes on! So we don’t have to be afraid or be troubled because He loves us so much!

    God is saying
    I Am with you always, I have given you a friend, My Holy Spirit to help you in every thing, but you do have to ask Me, listen to Me, My Holy Spirit wild guide you in the right direction so keep your spiritual ears open so we can help others to get to know Me.
    I love you keep up the good work of helping Me
    Love you ❤️

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