Jesus the Way

Like a compass, not a GPS.

Second Day of Lent

Today we read the fifth of seven illustrative I AM statements in John.

…the way, the truth, and the life.

Too often, this passage is relegated to the salvific exclusivity of Jesus. While there is truth to the notion that Jesus is the only way to God, that is not the main point of what he is saying here. (And note: he’s not saying that everyone has to know his name, but that he will decide who has found the way to the Father.)

No, this passage is about what Jesus is doing. He had told the disciples that they know the way to where he is going. Per usual, the disciples take it literally and Thomas points out that they don’t know “where” he is going. And then Jesus declares himself to be the compass.

Have you ever used a compass? The difference between a compass and a GPS or map is that the compass points you in the right direction of you destination. A GPS or map tells you where to turn at each point of decision.

God doesn’t appear to be much like a GPS or map. While sometimes it may be true that God tells someone exactly what to do, it seems to be the exception and not the rule. Jesus, as the rule, gives us a general direction where to go (or where not to go). But there is a whole lot of agency in our decision making. In the next chapter (15), we’ll read a lot about abiding in Christ, the living within his self that is deeply relational and not simple rule adhesion.

Regardless, he, as compass, points the way to truth and life. It would be hard to overthink or over-interpret those two words.

Truth.
Life.

Truth here isn’t so much focused on fact as it is what is right.
Life here isn’t so much about breathing oxygen as it is what is of value.

These two words are significant themes in John.

Pilate will soon ask Jesus what truth is.
Jesus talks again and again about life in John, that we might have it to the full.

John 14:5-14

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.

Psalm 86:8-13

Lord, there is no one like you among the gods; there is nothing that can compare to your works. All the nations that you’ve made will come and bow down before you, Lord; they will glorify your name, because you are awesome and a wonder-worker. You are God—just you. Teach me your way, Lord, so that I can walk in your truth. Make my heart focused only on honoring your name. I give thanks to you, my Lord, my God,
with all my heart, and I glorify your name forever, because your faithful love toward me is awesome.

Prayer¹

God,

I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this,
you will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always,
though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.

1. Adapted from Thomas Merton.