The resurrection of Lazarus discussed in my last post is a turning point in the book of John. The narrative now moves toward Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem, ending with his death, burial and resurrection.
Troubled Hearts, Comforting Words
Jesus spent much of that time talking with his disciples about his death and how it needed to happen to fulfill scripture. They struggled with this as He brought them together for a final Passover meal together. He washed their feet as an example of servanthood, and he discussed how one of them would betray him.
This must have been overwhelming for these men who had spent the previous three years at Jesus’ side. He made sure to also comfort them, as we see in Chapter 14.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who 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 that the Father is in me?
John 14:1-10 NIV
Jesus told them he would leave to prepare a place for them. His words of comfort after telling them he must die were a promise that they would again be with him. He also promised that they would know the way to where He would be.
The Way, Truth, And Life
Thomas spoke up and said “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (v. 5). Jesus’ reply was “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life”. He is the only way to the Father’s house, he is the truth about the Father and He is the life we need to have so that we can be with the Father.
First, Jesus is the Way. We need to seek the Way by looking to God’s Word. Without the Word, we drift toward doing things our way, or looking to the way others around us in the world feel and act. By having faith in His words, we know the direction we need to go. The more we know and understand the Word, the more faith we have in letting him lead us in that Way.
Next, He is the Truth. We need to trust completely that what He told us is truth, or we will wander away from the Way and onto a path that leads to the broad gate and not the narrow door (Matthew 7:13-14 NIV). If the Way isn’t toward the Truth, our journey will not lead toward where God wants us to be.
Finally, we can see the Way we need to go, and trust that it is Truth, but Jesus also provides the Life we need to get there. He was the example of a sinless life devoted to His Father. If we live the life he calls us to live, He will be with us and bring us to the Father’s house. As Jesus stated in the previous “I am” statement, He is “the Resurrection and the Life”!
Finding the Way, Truth, and Life In Troubled Times
In the early days of the pandemic in mid-2020, I found myself enjoying the time of isolation and quarantining. I lean toward the introverted side, so spending time alone seemed to refresh me. I was eager to try new things and use my newly found time to indulge in things I wanted to do. I developed my interest in sci-fi series and movies, and took on small projects around the house. I continued to read my Bible and attend on-line church events, but my free time was mainly devoted to activities I was doing for me.
However, the Spirit gently guided me back to the Way of Jesus. I knew without great daily times with the Word and with my brothers would lead me away from the Way, so I began a morning haverim group. That group helped me stay engaged and encouraged me to continue to seek the Truth. Though my introverted, selfish self wanted me to focus on my life, I was continually called back to Jesus as the Life I needed. When I faced some spiritual and mental challenges in early 2021, the foundation of the Way and the Truth and the Life from 2020 and earlier helped me to continue on the right path.
Jesus says “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life”. We need him to show us the only Way to the Father through trusting in His Truth and living the Life He has called us to live.