Our Lenten Adventure is beginning to make its turn toward Holy Week and the remembrance of Jesus’ days from Triumphal Entry to Crucifixion. The road is becoming more difficult, and the evidence of faithfulness and trust are becoming more apparent as the disciples will be challenged to stay the course and continue the ministry for which Jesus had called them.
In John 14, we are given insight into Jesus’ teaching as he makes his way to his arrest and crucifixion. He begins this chapter with comforting words, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me” (v. 1). These words are preamble to his telling them he will only be with them a little longer and then he will go away. He then says, “And you know the way to where I am going” (v. 4). Thomas speaks up, “No, we don’t know, Lord. We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (v. 5). This bold statement introduces Jesus’ sixth “I AM” statement in the Gospel of John: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (v. 6).
The use of GPS to assist people in getting to their destination has created a new dilemma where we no longer recognize where we have been and where we are. We tend to follow the blue line on the screen and listen to the voice who tells us which way to turn and prepares us for any adversity ahead. We can be easily led astray because we are not familiar with the road ahead of us and we are putting our trust in a system which seeks to give us the easiest or fastest route, no matter the potential changes necessary.
In the world today, there are a lot of people who are looking for direction for their life and have turned to a variety of philosophies and belief-systems in hopes they will find the way. The way they are seeking is limited to today’s needs or wants, hoping the blessings will be sufficient to get them through the day. Jesus’ promises to us speak to our immediate needs, while constantly pointing beyond our immediate wants and needs to something far greater: the way to the Father.
As the disciples are approaching the last days of Jesus’ life, he wants them to focus on the truth of his promise to be with them. He later writes in John 14 of his sending the Spirit to them as a comforter. Jesus, though leaving them in body, is not leaving them as orphans. He is preparing a place for them and continues to be the only way to the Father. Jesus as the way is more than a blue line on a map giving us step by step directions; He is the very personification of the map who, when we follow him, we are made aware of where we have been, where we are, and where we will be when we stay in Him and He in us. His Truth is found in His great love for us that “while we still were sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
In Holy Week we are reminded of betrayal, denial, and scattering. The disciples did not seem to understand what was happening even though they had been told. During this time, we need to recognize our own struggle to understand, and focus on where we are putting our trust for our lives. Do we know Jesus is the only way to the Father? If so, are we living our lives focused on Him so He can show us the way? Do we know the Truth of the Gospel and the necessity of our confession of sin and the reality of Jesus’ sacrifice for us to enter the fullness of life? I pray as we prepare for Holy Week, you will take time to consider how your life is focused on Jesus who is The Way; The Truth; The Life.
Prayer: Lord, I become focused on the immediacy of life forgetting the promises of the future. Keep me focused on you as the way, the truth, and the life for me each day. Forgive me for the times I seek another way, only to be reminded of your Gospel as the only way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.