Why we can feel confident with the big picture Jesus left us

‬‬By Dean Collins

Some of us thrive on seeing and even creating the big picture. Others do better when the details and the roadmap to get us to the destination are clearly explained. Big-picture thinkers are confident that someone will figure out the details. However, the more detail-oriented group does better when the how and why of the big picture are clearly outlined with an appropriate timeline. There is a whole industry filled with consultants who believe they can bridge the gap between these different styles of leadership.

The best big-picture thinker

I was thinking about all of this as I read the 14th chapter of John. Jesus is the original big-picture thinker. In the first chapter of John, we see that he was with God at the beginning, and through him, all things were made. A part of God’s grand design is that he created us in his image, which includes that we are capable of creating and implementing beautiful and practical plans.

God made no mistakes in his design of humankind, and it appears that his perfect plan includes all of us working together to bring about God’s kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. In order to get us to work together, he gave all of us components of what it takes to carry out God’s wonderful plan. But none of us are best at every aspect of creating, planning, and implementing. This explains the need for a community that forms the body of Christ in the world today to pursue God’s plan until Jesus returns to renew and restore all things.

The best big-picture plan

At the end of John 13, we see the startling news Jesus gave to his closest followers. One of the 12 would betray him, one of the inner circle would deny him, and all of the 12 would scatter at the events that would unfold in the coming hours. As chapter 14 opens, we see Jesus trying both to comfort his disciples and begin a narrative that would continue for four chapters as he describes what is coming and how they are to cope, live, and even thrive.

Jesus described the big picture. The disciples were not to be troubled because believing in God means believing in Jesus equally. The master plan was the Master’s plan to prepare for the eventual restoration of the earth and everything in it. The disciples and all followers of Jesus can anticipate a place with plenty of room for God’s great family to live in the presence of our Creator and King.

We can anticipate a place with plenty of room for God’s great family to live in his presence.

But some in the room wanted the details: Where is this place and how are we supposed to get there? Jesus suggested that they knew, but it was not clear to them as they thought about it this evening. In many ways, Jesus wasn’t revealing anything he hadn’t been talking about for the last three years. But now it was “go time.” In the next few hours and days, the disciples would experience significant steps Jesus would take to accomplish his ultimate big picture. These steps would include his crucifixion, his burial, his resurrection, and soon his ascension followed by a few weeks when the Holy Spirit would come.

The next few chapters would fill in more details, but no number of details from Jesus would feel like the adequate supply of details we all wish we had while living in the thin space between now and eternity.

The remarkable big-picture promise

This much is clear: the promise is we will be able to face the days ahead through our faith in Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life we all seek. It is also clear that Jesus made adequate plans for us by giving us his Holy Spirit and a community of believers who travel with us during our progression from now until eternity.

Jesus was showing us that all flesh must die. The incarnate Christ must die just as we must die. Jesus was explaining that resurrection was coming for him and would come for all of us. But in the in-between, our time on earth, we are to continue the spread of his kingdom.

Even the big-picture thinkers among us wish we had more details. And along our journey on earth, we will certainly understand more and more. But we will never have more than a thimble full of the details about what is to come. Until then, we are told to not be anxious or troubled. The resurrection of Jesus is the assurance we are given about what lies ahead.

Father, we confess our desire to have everything in black and white and written down with detail. Strengthen our resolve to live by faith and not by sight. Help us understand that when you went to prepare a place for us, your path is our path as well. Give us courage to face times of suffering and even our eventual death knowing that you will be with us in each step and bring us face to face with you in Heaven. Until that moment, lead us by your Holy Spirit to do the kingdom work you left us to do that all may come to know you and experience real and abundant life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your time with God’s Word
John‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬-‭14; 1:1-4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Photo by Tom Parkes on Unsplash
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