August 14, 2024

John 14:5-21 (HCSB)
5 “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Jesus Reveals the Father 7 “If you know Me, you will also know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” 8 “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own. The Father who lives in Me does His works.11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves. Praying in Jesus’ Name 12 “I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. Another Counselor Promised 15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit 19 “In a little while the world will see Me no longer, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live too. 20 In that day you will know that I am in My Father, you are in Me, and I am in you. 21 The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him.”

David Bale
We like having options, don’t we? On top of that, we are sold on this idea over and over again that, “you can have it your way.” Heck, when I was a kid, we ONLY had 5 channels to watch on TV –we even had to get off the couch to change the channel!! After the Last Supper, Jesus begins speaking about His departure, which leads to questions from His disciples. When Thomas questions Jesus about where He is going and not knowing the way, Jesus makes one of his seven “I am” statements. He doesn’t come back with, “I am “a” way OR I am “a” truth. He uses the word “THE.” I love that word. It’s definite. Only one option here. Jesus is staking his claim that He is the ONLY way to God the Father. A lot of people will argue that this “way” is too narrow; but in reality, it is wide enough for the whole world, if the world chooses to accept it. Instead of worrying about how limited it sounds, let’s give thanks for a sure way to get to God!