3/18/10 John 13
You will Follow Later
(Jn 13:36)36Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.”
We are reminded again in this chapter to look to heaven as the goal. We have been given the great gift of life and we are to be doing the work of the Lord Jesus as long as we have breath. You have probably made a statement in regard to how fast time goes by. All too quickly each of us will face our mortality. We have no idea when the hour may come, but it comes quicker that most of us think. The great hope for those who are believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ is that we can have assurance that when we depart this life that we will be with Jesus.
Think about it, today will methodically march on and will be forever in the past. What will you do for Jesus today? Will what you do today that will matter for eternity? Will it be filled with unimportant, useless, and unnecessary work or play? As much as I would like to be face to face with Jesus right now, I know that He has work for me to do and that I have been created and gifted for that purpose. You also have been created for a purpose and gifted to be used by Jesus and for Jesus.
Jesus tells His disciples that “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now.” He told another group something similar but gives them no assurance. He tells the Jews in John 7:33 “You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” Did you notice the difference? Jesus says to the Jews that are against Him you cannot come. He tells His disciples that they cannot follow now and also gives His disciples another assuring phrase in John 13:36, “but you will follow later.”
Those who do not put their faith and trust in Jesus have no assurance that they will join Him someday. Apart from Jesus there is no hope of heaven, eternal life, and acceptance by God the Father. The greatest thing I can think of as I reflect on this assurance and hope is the place that Jesus has went. He went to heaven to the very place where God the Father is present (John 7:33, 13:3). Psalm 16:11 says that in God’s presence is fullness of joy. Wow, I cannot wait, but according to this verse I will have to. My prayer is that you to have the assurance of “you will follow later.”
Prayer: Father of Heaven, I long to be with You and the Lord Jesus. I thank you for your comforting and encouraging words that give me great assurance. I know that at the perfect time you will bring me to where you are, not because of my work, but because of Jesus work on my behalf. Until that time I pray I will be faithful and useful for your Kingdom work. In this passage you have given instruction on how to do that also… “love one another.” Lord, give me a love for others that is like your love for me. Who am I that I should receive love from you and then not give my love to others? Guide me in my love for others and may my love be grounded in truth not simply emotion, in Jesus serving name. Amen.