“I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life”
John 14:1-7
Sometimes, when I tuck my little daughter into bed at night, she says softly, “Daddy, I scared.” And then I reassure her that there is nothing to be scared of. But she insists, “Daddy, cuddle me.” Who can say no to that? And so, I cuddle with her for a little while, until she feels comforted and courageous to face the unknown darkness alone. I don’t think we ever outgrow feeling afraid of the unknown darkness.
I wonder if Jesus’ disciples, on the night before he was crucified, felt this same way. How will they get this promised eternal life that Jesus has been talking about these past few years? What’s to become of them? You can almost hear them say, “Rabbi, we’re scared. Stay with us forever!”
To which Jesus replies, “You believe in God, don’t you? Believe in me too. And then, we can stay together forever in my Father’s house.” (John 14:1-4, paraphrased) But Thomas, a critical thinker amongst the disciples asks, “Lord, what’s the address to your Father’s house? How do we get there?” (Jn 14:5, paraphrased) To which Jesus replies, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” (Jn 14:6, NRSV)
It is like Jesus is saying, if you want to stay with me forever in my Father’s house, I am the Road that will take you there, I am the Truth that will guide you there, I am the Life that will sustain you there, but you must believe in Me. Believing in Jesus looks like willing to follow Him on whatever road He leads us, obeying whatever command he places before us, and building our life upon him alone as the source of our eternal life. He is the road that guarantees us to His Father’s house. His commands will perfect our souls and bodies to enjoy him forever. His life poured out for us will raise us from death to be with Him forever.
No matter whatever unknown challenges you are facing right now, remember that it’s not forever. What we know and believe is that as long as we walk with Jesus, obey Him, and are filled with His resurrection life daily, our unknown darkness ends with us being in the Light with Jesus in His Father’s house forever.
