I AM (#6): The Way, the Truth, the Life

November 5, 2023

John 14:1-14 | Ephesians 6:10-18

Don’t be troubled.

Okay, Jesus…have you looked around at all?

This passage really is foundational for those who’d have faith in Jesus Christ. It’s unfortunate that his words here - “I am the way, the truth, & the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” - are too often relegated to the things of exclusionary apologetics. Jesus is no playground bully putting himself between two fighting children (“You gotta get through me first!”).

Yes, Jesus is the way. He is the gate, the doorway into the Kingdom of God. Yes, some will be excluded from that (by their own decision). But these words from Jesus are not meant to be a scary warning. They are an invitation. They are an invitation to all the truth and goodness that comes in following his ways.

It’s also unfortunate that the notion of “many rooms” has been limited to the thought of a future heavenly existence. There are many rooms now. The place that Jesus is going has gone to prepare was made/done on the cross. He’s not building a house for you in heaven. He’s already built a dwelling place for us to abide in right now as participants in his Kingdom. Right now.

It’s true that there is much that would trouble us in the world. You know it - Israel/Gaza, mass shootings, sickness, hunger, massive migrancy to the extent the world has not seen ever before, climate change, homelessness - it is indeed a lot.

But it’s not everything.

Again: it’s a lot, but it’s not everything.

Maybe if we can let go of the notion that Jesus’ way will solve everything here and now for the whole world, we can begin to live individually and in community as God’s people, a beacon of hope within everything that’s going on.

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John 14:1-14

“Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too. You know the way to the place I’m going.”

Thomas asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you have really known me, you will also know the Father. From now on you know him and have seen him.”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father; that will be enough for us.”

Jesus replied, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been with you all this time? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I have spoken to you I don’t speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me does his works. Trust me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or at least believe on account of the works themselves. I assure you that whoever believes in me will do the works that I do. They will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father can be glorified in the Son. When you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength. Put on God’s armor so that you can make a stand against the tricks of the devil. We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens. Therefore, pick up the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground on the evil day and after you have done everything possible to still stand. So stand with the belt of truth around your waist, justice as your breastplate, and put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to spread the good news of peace. Above all, carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.

Offer prayers and petitions in the Spirit all the time. Stay alert by hanging in there and praying for all believers.

Prayer

God,

We’re gathering to worship you today,
To give you praise from the fullness of our heart to yours.
As we worship, receive us, fill us, and then send us:
Let our worship shape our lives.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.