December 17, 2021The news yesterday that the government of Quebec is taking new measures to fight the fourth wave of the pandemic was met by different reactions. Some people are glad to hear that efforts are being made to protect the health of the people in this province, while others are opposed to further restrictions on their freedom. One of the first songs that I learned when I trusted Christ as my Saviour in 1973 was “Jesus is Coming Soon” which begins with these words: “Troublesome times are here, filling men’s hearts with fear, freedom we all hold dear, now is at stake.” Thanks to the Internet, I learned today that this song was written by an American minister in 1942, when the Second World War was raging in Europe. You can read more at: https://r16sixteen.wordpress.com/2016/03/23/troublesome-times-are-here/
In studying the gospel of John recently, one of the sections that stands out to me is chapter 14 where the Lord Jesus said: “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (14:1-3). In his commentary on this, Dr. Warren Wiersbe writes: “We are not surprised that the apostles were troubled. After all, Jesus had announced that one of them was a traitor, and then He warned Peter that he was going to deny his Lord three times. Self-confident Peter was certain that he could not only follow his Lord, but even die with Him, and for Him. Alas, Peter did not know his own heart, nor do we really know our hearts, except for one thing: our hearts easily become troubled.”
Dr. Wiersbe continues in “The Wiersbe Bible Commentary”: “Perhaps the heaviest blow of all was the realization that Jesus was going to leave them (John 13:33). Where was He going? Could they go with Him? How could they get where He was going? These were some of the perplexing questions that tumbled around in their minds and hearts and were tossed back and forth in their conversation at the table. How did Jesus calm their troubled hearts? By giving them six wonderful assurances to lay hold of, assurances that we today may claim and thus enjoy untroubled hearts. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you may claim every single one of these assurances.”
The first assurance that Dr. Wiersbe examines is: “You are going to heaven.” In recent years, many of our friends and some of our family have died and we look forward to seeing them in heaven. On the news last night, it was announced that 30,000 Canadians have died during the pandemic. The number of people around the world who have passed into eternity due to Covid-related illness is staggering. More than ever, believers in Christ must share the Good News of salvation in Christ. As Dr. Wiersbe explains, “Jesus does not simply teach the way or point the way; He is the way. In fact, “the Way” was one of the early names for the Christian faith (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). Our Lord’s statement, ‘No man cometh unto the Father but by me,’ wipes away any other proposed way to heaven – good works, religious ceremonies, costly gifts, etc. There is only one way, and that way is Jesus Christ.”
Lord willing, next week we will look at the second assurance that Jesus gave His disciples. If you are not sure if you are a believer in Christ, you can make sure by turning from your sins and receiving His gift of salvation. It will be the most important gift that you will ever receive!