Finding Security in Jesus Amidst Uncertainty
Summary
In John 14, Jesus makes a profound declaration: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” These words were spoken to disciples who had just experienced a whirlwind of emotions—witnessing Lazarus raised from the dead, feeling vindicated as crowds finally recognized Jesus, and then being thrown into confusion as Jesus spoke of his impending departure. The disciples, like many of us, had given up everything to follow Jesus, only to find the journey taking unexpected and even troubling turns.
Stepping into the shoes of the disciples, it’s clear how disorienting it must have been. They had seen miracles, endured ridicule, and finally tasted acceptance, only to hear Jesus say he was leaving. In that moment, Jesus didn’t offer easy answers or a roadmap for the future. Instead, he offered himself. He told them not to let their hearts be troubled, to trust in God and in him, and assured them that he was preparing a place for them. When Thomas, honest and vulnerable, admitted his confusion, Jesus responded not with a plan, but with his presence: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
The way of Jesus is unpredictable, but it is secure—not because we know every step, but because he is with us in every step. The truth of Jesus is graciously uncompromising; he meets us with both mercy and a call to transformation. The life of Jesus is the roadmap to the Father, not just for eternity, but for today. He promises not to leave us as orphans, but to send the Holy Spirit as our advocate and comforter. The peace he gives is not the world’s peace, but a deep assurance that we are never alone, no matter how uncertain the path.
Trusting Jesus with our eternity is often easier than trusting him with our today. Yet, if we can believe he holds our forever, we can also trust him with our present uncertainties. The invitation is to remember his faithfulness in the past, to be honest about our doubts, and to find security not in our circumstances, but in his unchanging presence and love.
Key Takeaways
- The Way of Jesus Is Unpredictably Secure
Following Jesus often leads us into places and seasons we never anticipated. The disciples’ journey was marked by unexpected miracles and sudden reversals, yet Jesus’ presence was the constant. Security is not found in knowing the path, but in knowing the One who walks with us, even when the way is unclear. [29:27]
- The Truth of Jesus Is Graciously Uncompromising
Jesus embodies truth that is both merciful and unwavering. He does not condemn the broken, but neither does he excuse sin—his grace leads us to repentance and transformation. This balance invites us to receive his love without abusing it, and to let his truth reshape our lives. [32:21]
- The Life of Jesus Is the Roadmap to the Father
Jesus’ life is not just an example, but the very means by which we find our way to God. His actions, teachings, and sacrificial love reveal the heart of the Father and show us what it means to truly live. Everlasting life is not just a future promise, but a present reality shaped by following him. [33:41]
- Honest Doubt Is an Invitation to Deeper Faith
Thomas’ honesty about his confusion was not rebuked by Jesus, but met with revelation. God is not threatened by our questions or uncertainties; instead, he invites us to bring them to him. In our moments of doubt, we are reminded to look back on his faithfulness and trust that he will not abandon us. [21:26]
- Trusting Jesus with Today as Well as Eternity
Many of us find it easier to trust Jesus with our eternal destiny than with our daily struggles. Yet, if we believe he holds our forever, we can also trust him with our present and our future. Faith is not the absence of trouble, but the refusal to let our hearts be ruled by fear, knowing that he is always with us. [43:08]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction: Who Is Jesus?
[00:42] - Jesus’ Sixth “I Am” Statement
[03:41] - Stepping into the Disciples’ Perspective
[05:08] - The Lazarus Miracle and Its Aftermath
[08:32] - Mary’s Extravagant Worship
[09:40] - The Triumphal Entry and Rising Tensions
[11:20] - The Last Supper: Confusion and Betrayal
[13:46] - When God’s Plan Feels Unpredictable
[15:29] - “Don’t Let Your Hearts Be Troubled”
[16:27] - The Challenge of Trust
[20:21] - Thomas’ Honest Questions
[22:37] - “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”
[23:45] - The Unpredictable Way of Jesus
[30:01] - The Gracious Truth of Jesus
[33:24] - The Life of Jesus as Our Roadmap
[35:32] - The Promise of the Holy Spirit
[39:22] - Faith Like a Child
[42:25] - Trusting Jesus with Today and Tomorrow
[45:11] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[46:40] - Next Steps and Closing
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: John 14 – The Way, the Truth, and the Life
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### Bible Reading
- John 14:1-7
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
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### Observation Questions
1. What emotions were the disciples experiencing in John 14, and what recent events contributed to those feelings? ([04:35])
2. How does Thomas respond to Jesus’ statement about knowing the way, and what does this reveal about him? ([20:21])
3. According to Jesus in John 14, what is the promise he gives to his disciples about his presence and the Holy Spirit? ([32:54])
4. What does Jesus mean when he says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”? How does he answer Thomas’ confusion? ([22:37])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus doesn’t give the disciples a detailed plan for the future, but instead offers himself as “the way, the truth, and the life”? ([22:37])
2. The sermon describes the way of Jesus as “unpredictably secure.” What does it mean to find security in Jesus’ presence rather than in knowing the path ahead? ([29:27])
3. How does Jesus balance grace and truth in his interactions, such as with the woman caught in adultery? What does it mean that his truth is “graciously uncompromising”? ([32:21])
4. Why is it often easier to trust Jesus with our eternity than with our daily struggles? What does this reveal about our faith? ([43:08])
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### Application Questions
1. The disciples had given up everything to follow Jesus, only to face confusion and uncertainty. Have you ever felt like you were following God, but things didn’t turn out as you expected? How did you respond? ([12:19])
2. Jesus tells his followers, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.” What is something in your life right now that is troubling your heart? What would it look like to trust Jesus with that specific situation this week? ([15:29])
3. Thomas was honest about his doubts and confusion. Are there areas in your faith where you feel confused or uncertain? How can you bring those doubts honestly to Jesus, like Thomas did? ([21:26])
4. The sermon says, “Security is not found in knowing the path, but in knowing the One who walks with us.” What are some practical ways you can focus on Jesus’ presence with you, rather than trying to control or predict your future? ([29:27])
5. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as our advocate and comforter. When have you experienced the comfort or guidance of the Holy Spirit in a real way? How can you be more open to the Spirit’s leading this week? ([32:54])
6. The truth of Jesus is both merciful and calls us to transformation. Is there an area of your life where you need to receive Jesus’ grace, but also allow his truth to change you? What step could you take toward that transformation? ([32:21])
7. If you can trust Jesus with your eternity, what is one area of your “today” that you need to surrender to him? What would it look like to trust him with that part of your life? ([43:08])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray honestly about their doubts, fears, and uncertainties, asking Jesus to help them trust him with both their eternity and their today. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s comfort and guidance in the week ahead.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Is the Way—Unpredictable but Secure
The way of Jesus is often unpredictable, leading us through unexpected places, relationships, and seasons that we never could have planned for ourselves. Yet, in every twist and turn, Jesus promises His presence and security, not in the certainty of our circumstances but in the certainty that He is with us wherever we go. The disciples experienced storms, miracles, and moments of confusion, but Jesus was always either in the boat or walking toward them, never leaving them alone. You may not always know where you’re headed, but you can trust that Jesus is with you, making even the most uncertain journey secure. [29:27]
John 14:1-6 (ESV)
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Reflection: Where in your life do you feel uncertain or out of control, and how can you invite Jesus to be your security in that place today?
Day 2: The Truth of Jesus—Graciously Uncompromising
Jesus embodies a truth that is both unwavering and full of grace. He does not compromise on what is right, but He also does not condemn us in our failures. When the woman caught in adultery was brought before Him, Jesus challenged her accusers and extended mercy to her, calling her to a new way of living. His truth convicts but also restores, inviting us to leave behind shame and step into the freedom of being valued and loved by God. [32:35]
John 8:3-11 (ESV)
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
Reflection: Is there an area where you need to receive both the truth and grace of Jesus—letting go of shame and stepping into His call to live differently?
Day 3: The Life of Jesus—A Roadmap to Everlasting Life
The life of Jesus is not just an example but a guide, showing us the way to true and everlasting life with the Father. He consistently exceeded expectations, met needs in unexpected ways, and called His followers to trust Him even when the path was uncomfortable or unclear. Jesus doesn’t promise an easier life, but He does promise His presence, His Spirit, and a peace that the world cannot give. In following His life, we find the roadmap to hope, purpose, and eternal relationship with God. [33:41]
John 14:15-18 (ESV)
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
Reflection: What is one way you can follow the example of Jesus today, trusting that His life leads you to true life with the Father?
Day 4: Trusting Jesus with Today, Not Just Eternity
Many of us have faith that Jesus will secure our eternity, but we struggle to trust Him with our daily lives, our worries, and our unknowns. Jesus invites us to believe that if we can trust Him with forever, we can also trust Him with today and tomorrow. He calls us to not let our hearts be troubled, to believe that He is with us in every moment, and to let our faith in His faithfulness override our fears about the future. [43:08]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to move from anxiety to trust, believing that Jesus is present and working even now?
Day 5: You Are Not Alone—The Gift of Peace and the Father’s Pride
No matter your age, status, or situation, you are God’s child, and He is proud of you. Jesus promises not to leave you as an orphan but to give you the gift of peace—a peace that is deeper than understanding and stronger than fear. Even when you feel alone or overwhelmed by responsibility, you can rest in the security that God sees you, loves you, and will never abandon you. Let His peace guard your heart and mind today. [40:27]
John 14:26-27 (ESV)
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Reflection: In what situation do you most need to remember that you are not alone and that God is proud of you—how can you let His peace fill your heart right now?
Quotes
I want to instead of us trying to see how does the scripture correlate to our life. I think today why don't we just jump into the scripture so we can see it from their lives and their perspectives. Would you would you guys indulge me with this? Can we instead of trying to figure out what does the disciples have to do with us? Can we just put our feet in the shoes of the disciples? [00:03:57]
But I want us to envision ourselves as one of the disciples because in John chapter 14, I threw us into a conversation. But that conversation was actually the the climax of what it took what had taken place over the past week. So we need to actually back up because John chapter 14 happens after John chapter 11. [00:04:31]
All of a sudden, the dead man who had been dead for 4 days comes out of a grave. We're shook. But what's crazy is that the hundreds of people who had came there to mourn his death are now witnesses of the resurrecting power of Jesus and have seen him come back to life. [00:06:49]
But now all of a sudden, people are believing that we aren't crazy. He's really the Messiah. But somehow the Pharisees find out about it and now they want to arrest him now because he's he's becoming too influential. So we leave. [00:07:44]
But then Jesus says something weird. He he throws off the vibe. Jesus says, "Don't get too comfortable. I'm not staying here. I have to die." And now people are confused because they're like, "No, no, no. You You resurrected someone from the dead. You can overthrow Rome. You can save all of us. If you can save a dead man, you can save us. We're still alive." [00:10:23]
I want to ask you this. Have you ever felt confused about where Jesus was leading you because the outcome was the opposite of what you expected? I'm not talking about when you were out there whiling making dumb decisions and you expected to reap what you sowed. [00:12:21]
To the best of your ability. And as soon as you feel like, "Okay, it's starting to pay off. This whole Christian thing, it's starting to it's starting to work." Then all of a sudden, right? When things feel like they're going in the right direction, the direction changes. And now you're wondering, "Wait, why? But why? But why?" [00:13:18]
But once he resurrects Lazarus, once he brings somebody back to life who had been clinically and and socially confirmed dead for 4 days, then everyone starts to jump on the Jesus bandwagon. Kanye gets saves. Bieber gets saved. Everybody's saved now. Now we're like, "Okay, this Christian thing is legit. I bought in early. I'm good now." [00:14:16]
But the way Jesus says this, don't let your hearts be troubled, it implies that I have a choice. It implies that I have the supernatural ability to not dictate how I feel, but to dictate how I respond. He says, "Don't let your hearts be troubled, not don't let your hearts feel troubled." [00:15:35]
And Jesus says, "Even though I've put you on this crazy journey, even though the past three years have been wild, even though even though you've given up everything and I'm about to tell you or I'm told telling you that, hey, I appreciate it, but I'm out. I want you to don't let your heart be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in me." [00:19:08]
And I wonder if the reason you can't fully trust the God you don't see is because you can't trust the people you do see. And it's hard for you to trust a God you don't see when you don't trust the father and mother and brother and boss and friend and ex who you did see. [00:19:27]
And Thomas is like, you're saying all this stuff and you're making it sound so easy and I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know where you're taking me. I don't know where you're going. So, you're about to leave. So, how am I supposed to know if I don't see you anymore? I love Thomas. [00:22:24]
First of all, the way of Jesus is unpredictable. But it's unpredictably secure. I believe Jesus told Thomas, "I am the way." First because he wanted Thomas to replay how Thomas ended up with where he was at in the first place. Jesus recruited his disciples in a very unconventional manner. [00:22:56]
And what they saw was that anytime Jesus was in the room or anytime Jesus spoke a word or anytime someone just touched Jesus, one time a lady was bleeding for 12 years and she just touched the hymn of Jesus. She didn't even have the words to say. She felt embarrassed. She felt unqualified. She just reached out to touch and but just that act of faith. [00:25:57]
And it was like Jesus kept constantly demonstrating to the disciples that if you follow me, it's who knows where you'll end up, but as long as you're with me, it'll work out. And I wonder if the way of Jesus has led you to a desert that you did not predict you would end up at. [00:28:50]
But then he said, "Not only am I the way, I am the truth." The truth. And I need you to know this. The truth of Jesus is graciously uncompromising. What do you mean by that? Well, I think about the fact that one time Jesus was uh minding his own business with his disciples and the Pharisees, the the the the gatekeepers of truth, they they they ran up on Jesus and they threw a woman who they had caught in adultery. [00:29:56]
Because Jesus is trying to show us over and over again that in spite of the fact that there will be people that you cannot trust, Judas def despite the fact that there will pe be people who commit to you and then they get overwhelmed and they abandon you. Peter, there is one who says there will never be a moment that you go through that my presence is not available for you. [00:37:45]
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