WestGate Church Teaching

It’s the second week of June, which typically is a time when we celebrate our graduating seniors (both college and high school) but because of COVID-19, we can’t properly celebrate. So we invited three members of the Class of 2020 to speak about how a follower of Jesus can make decisions and move forward in times of incredible uncertainty (like the world we are all experiencing now). Their advice is not only timely but timeless.

When people are facing their last moments of life, often, their focus flies from insignificant details to the crux of what is most important to them. In John 17, as Jesus is marching to His death, He prays for something extraordinary. He prays for unity.

In John 17, we see Jesus praying for His followers, during a time of incredible turmoil. This prayer has inspired followers of Jesus for generations. And if we examine the things Jesus prays for, we can see His heart for not only us, but the world, and our place in it.

The Biblical words “the Holy Spirit” are strange. For some, they conjure up ideas of mystery. For others, of mystical power. To others, it sounds like a ghost villain from Scooby Doo. But in John 16, Jesus says that He is going to go away and send “God’s Holy Spirit” to be with His followers. And in this, Jesus outlines three core things that the Holy Spirit will do for believers in the family of God - guides, convicts and comfort.

In John 15, Jesus starts off a lengthy speech by talking about the power of love, but then shifts to a foreboding warning: the power of hate. Jesus reminds His followers that loving and following after Him and the way of His father will mean, by nature, resistance. And even suffering. But despite this prophetic and grim warning, Jesus gives a final bit of information: that darkness does not win, and that Jesus will defeat evil.

In John 15, Jesus gives an extended analogy that His followers are like branches of vines, and that He is the vine. And that the goal of a grape vine, of course, is to produce fruit. But this makes us uncomfortable. We prefer to think that life happens because of our hustle. But Jesus says that life - and the abundance of life - comes when normal people “abide” with Jesus. So we’ll examine what that means, and why it’s actually a deeply freeing way to live.

When life gets difficult, people often want answers for how to live, or what to do. In John 14, as things are beginning to spin into what the disciples fear is chaos, they begin peppering Jesus with questions about what to do. Like us, they think more information will help them feel in control. And yet, in the middle of this, Jesus doesn’t offer answers, but offers Himself, saying, “I am the way, the truth and the Life.” And apparently, this is the way forward through that - and every other - confusing trial they (or you or I) will ever face.

In the week before Jesus was to be crucified, He knew that life was going to come unravelled for His followers. So Jesus offers them words of hope. But they are unique words of hope. Jesus does not say, “I will make everything bad stop” and He does not say, “I will make everything go perfectly.” He says, “I will go ahead of you.” Jesus is promising His disciples that no matter how difficult life gets, that He is a few steps ahead. And that Ultimately, things will work out, even if it sometimes doesn’t look like it. And this promise is not just wishful thinking: it’s based on Jesus’ work, life and character.

As we enter into month 2 of the COVID-19 crisis of 2020, one thing is sure: everything is upside down. So. As followers of Jesus, what should we do when we don’t know what to do? In this series, we’ll examine the final days of Jesus’ life where He gives His followers some important advice for how to live - because their lives were about to get turned upside down. And in week 1, we see an astonishing act of humility. Jesus, the Messiah, the King of Kings, takes a towel and a basin and washes His disciples feet, reminding us that when we don’t know what to do, we can remember that life is about serving other people in humility and love.

At that first Easter, the disciples and the other followers of Jesus were, if anything, frightened. The Roman Government had just killed their leader, and they found themselves, huddled together and hiding. But, as the story of Scripture tells us, Jesus beat Death, was Resurrected, and appears to them, saying (almost ironically!) “Peace be with you!” In this time of COVID-19, this offer of peace is still open, and Jesus