John 14

Inside the Super Bowl Locker Room

Imagine you are the coach of a Super Bowl team. It’s half time and your team is losing. You know these players can win the game, but they seem confused and out of sync. As they gather around for your last pep talk of the season, how do you motivate them to stick to the game plan you taught them and not panic?

This is the scene John describes in Chapter 14 of his gospel. Jesus has gathered his disciples to hear his final words just before he faces the cross. For three years his words and miracles have proven to them that he is God. And he has coached them on how to play the game after he departs.

They should know what to do by now, but several disciples interrupt him by asking, “Where are you going and what are we going to do?” In answering Jesus sums up his game plan in one majestic statement, “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

I Am The Way

Jesus declares he is the only point of access to God. As we might say – it’s His way or the highway. He then lays out his case by telling them and us that the Father lives in him and he lives in the Father. Therefore, the only way to know the Father, is to know the Son by believing Jesus.

 Religions and philosophies tell us the way to find God is to first travel a path of finding enlightenment, or doing good works, or getting in touch with self. Then, if we walk this path successfully, we earn the right to open the door to find God.

Jesus, however, says that plan is all backwards. He declares that he is God who has come to find us. He is the Door, and when we open this Door by faith, he will meet us and then lead us on the path. Jesus’ Way is door first, then pathway. Not man’s idea of trying to walk the pathway to find the door.

 I Am The Truth

Jesus then makes the astounding claim that, as we walk this path with him, we will do greater works than he did. How can this be? Because, when he leaves he promises to send us an Advocate – an on-field coach to remind us of how to run the right plays. This coach is the Holy Spirit whom he will send to permanently indwell us, to guide us, and lead us into all truth.

Jesus further explains that the world cannot understand the Spirit of Truth because the world does not know God. Even so, he says that anyone in the world can open that Door by receiving him. God’s truth is open to all. But only on God’s terms, not the world’s terms.

I Am The Life

Jesus continues his locker room talk by telling his team that, when he departs, he will leave them his peace. Not the peace the world gives, but the peace that only comes from knowing the Father through Jesus.

The world’s peace is based on resources and circumstances.

The peace of Jesus is based on a personal relationship and the promise that He is with us eternally and has given us all we need to walk his path, no matter how difficult it becomes.

Game Plan Takeaways

So what does this locker room talk mean to you and how you should play the game? It means, if you know the Coach, you have the same three assurances of a winning game plan that Jesus gave the disciples before he went to the cross and secured the victory.

The Way to the Father – All God requires is that, by faith, you open the door of your heart and invite Jesus in. Thereafter, he promises to forgive you and live with you eternally.

The Truth of the Spirit – If you know Jesus, then you have the promise that his Holy Spirit permanently indwells you to guide you and to show you how to walk in God’s truth.

The Life in the Son’s Peace – Jesus begins and ends his talk by telling his team, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.” Don’t we all need that assurance of peace as we head out for the second half to claim our sure victory?

Maranatha,

Andy