GOSPEL READING:
John 14:1-61 "Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. 2 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? 3 And when 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. 4 And you know the way where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me."
Meditation: Do you allow any troubles to rob you of God's peace? As much as we try to avoid it, we all inevitably encounter trouble and difficulties. Jesus knew his disciples would have to face trials and persecution after he left them to return to his Father in heaven. Adversity can make us lose hope and become discouraged, or it can press us closer to God and to his promises for us.
"It is the LORD who goes before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you or forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed" (Deuteronomy 31:8).
A place for you in my Father's house
Just as God, who appeared as a Pillar of Cloud by day and a Pillar
of Fire by night, went ahead of Moses and the Israelites to lead
them safely through the wilderness to the promised land, Jesus tells
his disciples that he is going ahead through his ascension into
heaven to prepare a place for them in his Father's house - a place
of lasting peace, friendship, and happiness with God. God's house is
never closed nor over-crowded - there is plenty of room for everyone
who believes in God and in his beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The greatest fear in this present life - whether it be the
separation and loss of a loved one or the threat to one's own life -
is put to rest by Jesus' promise that we will live forever with him
and the eternal Father. There we will be joined with a great company
of saints and angels who will be our friends forever as well.
Do you know the way to the Father's house in heaven? Jesus
expected his disciples to know where his life was headed - to
dwell in everlasting glory with his Father in heaven. And he
expected that his disciples would recognize that this was their
ultimate destination as well. Thomas, who was both a doubter and a
realist, spoke for all the disciples when he said, "we neither
know where you are going nor how we shall get there on our own?"
Thomas was a very practical "down to earth" kind of person who
wanted to see the map and landmarks showing the exact path that
would lead the way to the desired haven. Jesus assured Thomas that
he would not only give him everything he needed to complete the
journey, he would be Thomas' personal guide as well.
Traveling alone in unfamiliar or uncharted places can be
unnerving and bewildering without a companion or guide. And some
places are impossible to pass through without the right person who
knows the way and who can guarantee a safe passage. Several years
ago I was invited by Christian friends to visit their community in
Lebanon. They were in the middle of a civil war that would last
for 15 years (1975-1990). Months and years of hardship, exposure
to danger, and the uncertainty of the war's outcome, as well as
being physically cutoff from outside contact with friends, was
weighing heavily. I was eager to visit to offer some support.
Since I had never traveled there before, nor spoke the local
language, I knew that I was helpless without a trustworthy guide.
Fortunately a close Christian friend from Lebanon met me half-way
on my journey and personally guided me through some unfamiliar
territory, including check-points, road-blocks, physical danger,
and some social, religious, and political hurdles as well. My
guide got me safely to my destination. I literally owed my life to
his safe-keeping. The Lord Jesus promised his followers that he
would be their personal guide and friend who would lead them to
the source of lasting peace, enduring friendship, and
abundant life.
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
The disciples were surprised that Jesus was going to his Father's
house and would return to take them with him. And they were even
more surprised when Jesus said he expected them to know the way to
the Father's house. Jesus' answer to there question, "show us the
way", was both a reminder that his disciples should trust their
Master and Teacher to show them the way, and a challenge for them
to recognize that Jesus had intimate knowledge of God and where
God came from. Jesus made a statement that invoked the very name
which God had revealed to Moses, "I am who I am" (Exodus 3:14),
and he made three claims which only God could make. He stated
unequivocally to his disciples: "I am the Way, the Truth,
and the Life" (John 14:6)
Jesus proclaims: I am the Way (John 14:6). He alone
knows the way to the Father because he has been with the Father
from the beginning - before time and creation ever existed. The
Lord Jesus gives us more than a road map and guide book. He
personally is the way to the Father's kingdom, and we cannot miss
it if we follow him. He accompanies us on our daily journey and
watches over us as the good shepherd who leads and sustains us
each and every step of the way. Are you in step with the Lord and
do you trust in his guiding hand for your life?
Jesus proclaims that he is the Truth (John 14:6). Many
can say, "I have taught you the truth." Only Jesus can say, I
am the Truth. He possesses in himself the fulness of truth.
Jesus claims to be one with the Father and to speak the truth
which proceeds from the Father. Jesus promised his disciples that
if they continued in his word, they would learn the truth and
the truth would set them free" (John 8:31). The truth which
Jesus proclaims has power to set us free from ignorance,
deception, and sin. The words which Jesus speaks are true because
there is no lie or falsehood in him. Moral truth requires more
than mere words or ideas because the person who speaks them must
be true - true in thought, speech, deed, example, and action.
Jesus embodies the truth in his person.
Jesus proclaims that he is the Life (John 14:6). He not
only shows us the path of life (Psalm 16:11); he gives the
kind of life which only God can give - abundant life that lasts
forever. Is there any trouble, fear, or distraction that keeps you
from the perfect peace and joy of a life surrendered to Jesus
Christ?
Lord Jesus, you fill us with the joy of your saving presence and you give us the hope of everlasting life with the Father in Heaven. Show me the Father that I may grow in the knowledge of your great love and truth.
Psalm 2:6-11a
6 "I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill."
7 I will tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my son, today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, with trembling rejoice.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Walk by faith in the truth, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Persevere now in walking by faith in the truth, that you may
succeed in coming at a definite and due time to the sight of the
same truth. For as the apostle says, 'While staying here in the
body, we are away from the Lord. For we are walking by faith, not
by sight' (2 Corinthians 5:6-7). We are
led to the direct sight and vision of the Father by Christian
faith. That is why the Lord says, 'No one comes to the Father
except through me.'" (excerpt from SERMON
12.5)
