An Ambassador for Jesus

Jeff Kissell

• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781098024734
• eBook ISBN: 9781098024741
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Studies

Jesus said that we are not of this world. We belong to another kingdom. As citizens of this other kingdom, we are aliens in a foreign land. We are called to represent our homeland to those we come in contact with. Since Jesus's kingdom may seem strange to many people, we are to be ambassadors for this kingdom. An Ambassador for Jesus is a study guide that takes the words of our King, Jesus, and applies them to our lives today. By using verses from the Old and New Testaments, we can demonstrate what the kingdom of heaven is to be like. Will you be an ambassador for Jesus today?

Final Instructions

Often great importance is placed on the last words a person speaks before they die. In some cases, it may be naming a successor, as with a king or queen. It may be that there is to be a reconciliation or maybe a revenge/grudge to be kept. David gave Solomon instructions about certain people. Paul gave warnings to Timothy regarding some individuals. The last words are often very important. So it is with Jesus. In John chapters 13–17, we have the last instructions and words that he spoke to the disciples prior to the Crucifixion. We are going to take some time and look at these instructions and how they pertain to our tasks as ambassadors of Jesus Christ.

The first verses we will be looking at are John 13:31–35.

Therefore, when he (Judas) was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Jesus says that now, at last, what he came to do was going to be accomplished. He was going to be glorified. He was now going to fulfill the task that had been given him. What was that task? The task was to provide for the salvation of all of mankind, Jew and Gentile, to be reconciled to God the Father. This plan had been started and planned before God spoke the world into being, and now it was going to happen. Jesus, by being obedient to the will of the Father, will bring glory to the Father, and likewise, the Father would be glorified because Jesus was being obedient to God’s will. This was by going through with the death, burial, and resurrection that he knew was a few hours away. We are to also give glory to Jesus and to the Father by being obedient to their will. We show our love and bring others to also give God praise and glory by doing what Jesus asks us to do.

This next verse shows how we are to bring glory to both the Father and the Son. Jesus says that he is giving a new commandment unto the disciples. I think it is interesting that Jesus refers to these strong men as little children. He is showing them how much he loves them. He is also showing how much they have come to depend on him. Jesus has said that we must be as little children in our faith and trust. He is using it as a term of endearment. It is not condescending or belittling to call them this but a phrase that shows his love, care, and concern.

This new commandment that Jesus gives is that they are to love like he had loved them. Had everything been fantastic for the disciples? There were times when Jesus had to rebuke them. At times, he must have gotten frustrated with them as it seems that they are not getting the whole plan of why he came. Yet he continued to show his love to them. Even in the next few verses, Peter pledges his loyalty, and Jesus says that Peter would deny him not only once but three times. Yet Jesus continues to encourage and show his love for them. Likewise, we are today to show this same love to others.

Jesus tells the disciples that the way people will know that we belong to Jesus is by the love we have one to another. By showing love for one another, we are fulfilling the commandment of Christ. Jesus is going to use the word commandment or word a number of times in this section of scripture. How can we follow the commandments of Christ unless we read what Jesus said? That is why we must do as it says in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The other verses where he uses this are 14:15, 14:21, 14:23–24, 15:3, 15:7, 15:10, 15:12, 15:14, 15:17, 15:20, and 17:17.

We, in order to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ, must know our task. Just as Jesus knew what the Father was asking of him, we must know what Jesus expects of us. Our job is to represent Jesus to those we come in contact with at home or on the job, wherever our “to the uttermost” happens to be. They will not know us by the cross hanging around our neck or the bumper sticker on our cars or the tattoos on our bodies. Rather they are to see the love we have for one another. That is how they will know that we are followers of Jesus.

1 Peter 4:11

John 15:13

1 Thessalonians 4:9–10

1 John 2:3–6

1 John 3:11–16

1 John 4:7–21

2 John 4–6

Jesus is interrupted by Peter, who asks Jesus where he is going and pledges that, no matter what, he would always be there. Jesus tells Peter that he would soon deny even knowing him. Chapter 14 picks up with Jesus giving comfort not only to Peter but to all of the eleven disciples. John 14:1–6 says,

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. 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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest, and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The very first thing that Jesus is thinking about is his friends. Not only is Peter shocked by what Jesus had just told him, but I am sure all of them were amazed. To think that Peter would deny Jesus, this man whom Jesus himself had named the rock would turn against him was unthinkable. All of the disciples must be feeling this and questioning themselves, if Peter, then what about me? Jesus uses the most solid thing that these men have, which is their faith in God, the Father. He tells them not to be troubled but only believe. Believe in what? Believe in God and also in him.

Often we are troubled. Our hearts become filled with fear, doubt, misgivings. It seems that we have lost our direction in life. Our anchor seems to have become disconnected; and we are adrift on a sea of uncertainty, confusion, and even darkness seems to have surrounded us. We have nowhere to turn. It is at this time that we can trust our Pilot, Jesus. One of the first steps to faith is mentioned in Hebrews 11:6, which states, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” These men have faith in God. It is and has been a part of who and what they are their entire lives. Jesus is now asking them to believe, have faith, in him to the same extent.

Jesus will use the same comment about not being troubled later, in verse 27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” It is the peace that comes only from Jesus that can remove this fear and trouble from their hearts and also our own.

Jesus then gives the disciples, and us, a glimpse into eternity. In heaven, the Father’s house, are many mansions. These would be palaces, not hovels, places with plenty of room to explore, enjoy, and just “rest.” Rest is a large part of what the Jews have always wanted. The Promised Land was a land of rest. Eden was a place of rest. Entering into the presence of God is a place of rest. What is rest? It is what God did on the seventh day. Genesis 2:2 says, “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.” It is a completion, a being finished, a time to stop and enjoy what you have made. We are so busy doing that often we run from one project to the next and never enjoy what we have done. It is this rest that Jesus is telling them about. It is in the Father’s house. A place where there is safety. A place where there is peace. A place where there is provision. A place where there is protection. A place where you can let down your guard: be who you were created to be, a child of the King.

Next, it is amazing to think about, but Jesus tells them that he is going to be making all of the preparations for them so that there will be a place for them. Sometimes, that is all we want, just a place. A place to say that we belong, a place to show who and what we are. A place of peace and safety. We can do nothing to help him. It is all his design, his makeup, his “special surprise” for us. And not only is he preparing this special place for us, but he will take us there. Often the reveal is as much fun to the giver as it is to the receiver. Just imagine the joy in the face of Jesus when he shows his beloved Bride (that is us) the incredible place that he has made for them who love him, who are following his commandments. There is joy in the presence of Jesus, not only for us but also for him.

As if this was not enough, Jesus then tells them that they will not have to find their own way but that he will come and receive them to himself. This is the terminology that is used for a wedding. And again, that is who we are, the Bride of Christ. This is the rapture, that long-awaited time when we will all be “caught up” to be with Jesus. We will be with him in his Father’s house for all eternity.

Jesus’s next statement seems to cause at least one of the disciples some concern. Jesus has just told them about the Father’s house and that they know where it is and also how to get there. Thomas wants to make sure that he is hearing correctly. Jesus said that they know where and how to get there, yet Thomas wants to be sure. There is nothing more frustrating than getting lost. It makes you feel foolish, not in control, not able to do for yourself. And that is exactly what Jesus wants. Thomas wants to know how he can know the way. Jesus does not belittle or berate Thomas. There is no rebuke. Jesus answers the question.

How do we get to the Father’s house? It is amazing that we can do nothing to get there. On our own, we do nothing to merit admittance to the Father’s house. In fact, if we are planning on getting in on our own righteousness, then we will be in for a shock. Isaiah 64:6 states, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

If it were up to us, we would have a twelve-step plan or an ABCs of salvation or maybe a creed or a sinner’s prayer. Maybe pull out a map to give directions. Jesus does not tell them about a way or about the way. He does not show them a way or the way. He also does not even guide them along the way. No, in answer to Thomas’s question, Jesus says that he is the way. There is only one way, and that is Jesus.

Not only is Jesus the way he is also the truth. In Christ, there is no falsehood. There is no lie or deceit. There is no mocking or ridicule. All is one-hundred-percent unadulterated truth. When we follow Jesus we are to become like he is. We are to examine our ways and see if there is any false way about us. Then we must ask the Holy Spirit to remove it from our lives. Psalm 139:23–24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Jesus knows all of our thoughts, and he also knows our hearts. Only with his blood can we be clean. Only Jesus can “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit with in me” (Psalm 51:10). It is only the Holy Spirit that can “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit” (Psalm 51:12).

How do we do this? Psalm 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 1:1–3 states, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitt...

Table of contents

• Introduction
• Sermon on the Mount
• The Beatitudes
• What We Are
• The Law
• Relationships
• Warnings
• Parables of the Kingdom
• Being Disciples
• Final Instructions