"Passport to Peace" - John 14:1-14 - May 2, 1999

A friend of mine was married recently and for his honeymoon he took his new wife on a cruise to the Caribbean. One of their stops was Cozemel, Mexico. It is one of the most popular ports-of-call for cruise ships and a popular vacation spot if you want to relax in the sun and get away from it all. You need either a passport or proof of your US citizenship to go there. If you’re going to travel to exotic places you have to have the proper paperwork. Peaceful surroundings are not possible without red tape. Nor are they free.

Many people believe they need a passport to heaven. As long as they belong to the right groups, observe the right practices, believe the rights things, they are guaranteed a room in God’s great mansion. Jesus told his followers that there is only one way to heaven. It is not with a passport, it was through him. He said, "I am the way … the only way to God is through me." He went on to say that he would take them there. He would provide the road that leads to heaven. He would show them the way.

Most people interpret this passage to mean that Jesus is describing himself as the highway to heaven. In that case it is assumed that heaven is a far away place, somewhere out there or in the future. If that is true then all we need do is find the nearest Concorde jetliner to take us there. Why do we need to mess around with this everyday life stuff? The sooner we get to heaven the better. What the heck, Lord, take me now!

I believe that Jesus was speaking to our journeys, not our destination. He knows we have troubles, problems, worries, etc. What we need is reassurance and faith to get us through each step that we take. I like the NRSV because it uses the phrase, "dwelling places." Jesus wants us to take up residence with God at this very moment. He wants us to "dwell" with him, meaning he wants us to have faith and have a relationship with him. He is not suggesting that we focus on heavenly real estate. He want us to live with the assurance that we have a reservation in his life long motel chain.

When Jesus said he was the "way," he meant we are to live by his teachings. Within Jewish teachings, the word "way" refers to the "wise," those who live in accordance with the teachings of the sages. (See The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume IX, page 742) In the Psalms, "way" is used as a metaphor to describe a life lived in the will of God. The "way" is not a route to somewhere else but an expression of faithful person’s unity with God.

Jesus was referring to heaven not in the future but in the present. For Jesus, the kingdom is now, it is "in the midst of us." In this passage he is speaking to his troubled disciples who need both comfort and motivation to sustain the faith. When we take into consideration his words in verse 27, I believe he meant the reality of a peaceful existence, peace of mind, or harmony of body, mind and spirit. For later in the chapter he said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you."

If you want to go to a favorite vacation place this summer or find a place to get away from it all, you have to make arrangements. You have to search through brochures, make phone calls, send in deposits. That is part of the process. Having that confirmation taped to your refrigerator can give you peace of mind when you are having a bad day. Several weeks ago I talked with the charter representative on the Chesapeake Bay. I go there once a year, which for me is like a retreat. Although it’s several months away, I can still here the voice of the woman who said, "we’ll be ready for you."

It is not enough to simply believe in Jesus or to "think" Jesus. Following Jesus means we have to rearrange our lives. We have to plan. It means we schedule time for worship, study and personal meditation. It means we plan opportunities for fellowship, missions and participation in the work of the church. It means we make room in our lives for peace like we do everything else.

I am discovering more and more that most people live by the seat of their pants and fail to make plans for their future. Even peace requires planning. Peace is not just a far away goal. It can also be real in the present. Like everything else we do we have to make room for peace. We have to schedule time for rest and relaxation. It is not downtime. Rather, it is time for renewal and replenishment. It is time that gives birth to creativity and new life.

Jesus also said, "Let not your hearts be troubled." The Greek work for troubled is shuddering. At the time his followers faced outright terror. They had an uncertain future and were filled with fear. When I scan the congregation I see many troubled people. There are pressures from work. There is turmoil in families and strain in relationships. People are overworked, overbooked. Life is complex. All of us have worries and fears. We face many challenges. Everyone of us could use a little peace.

Life is a journey. It has many bumps, turns and detours. Jesus told his followers that he would lead them forward. He didn’t say he would wave a magic wand and instantly transport them to some final destination. Instead he assures them of peace along the way.

Last Wednesday the church received a shipment of new chairs for the balcony. After they made their delivery they asked for directions to their next stop. The truck was headed for Columbus, about 75 miles away. I suggested that they follow State Route 29. I explained that there were curves and turns in the road. They would have to pass through several towns. They didn’t mind as long as there was a MacDonald’s along the way. I assured them that about half way to Columbus they would drive right past one. The peace of God is not just a far away place. The peace of God is anytime or anyplace we find respite or refuge along the way.

My friend who just returned from his cruise told me that unfortunately they didn’t get to go to Grand Cayman Island. It seems that a passenger on board had to have emergency surgery and the ship had to return to port the first day, thereby making it impossible to reach the Cayman Islands. Instead they altered their schedule and made a port-of-call in Key West, Florida. He said they had a wonderful experience there. He had the opportunity to sip beer in the Jimmy Buffet Café. It was the highlight of his trip.

Their journey had made an unexpected turn, but they were provided with a sample of heaven. This I believe is the main point of this passage. Regardless of where our journey takes us God is with us. We are never alone. The loving and gracious presence of God is always with us and the peace of God is a constant possibility.

God wants us to have peace in our lives. First, we need to realize that peace or "heaven" is possible in the present. Second, we need to give peace a chance and create space in our lives by including it in our daily lives. Third, we need to remember that we are on a journey, one which will have many detours and unexpected turns. The good news is that we can count on the peace of God to be experienced along the way.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio