Our scripture this morning is John 14:1-7.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Jesus has told His followers that He is returning to the Father to “prepare a place for you”. They are sad and confused about what the future will hold. Thomas voices their concern asking “how can we know the way?”
Jesus reassures them, saying “I am the way and the truth and the life”, everything we need in order to be saved. As the way, we follow Him; as the truth, we believe in Him; and as the life we live in Him and He in us. By knowing Jesus, we know the Father and are reconciled to Him.
We hear the truth that “no one comes to the Father except through me”, a warning that while there are many paths, Jesus is the only way to know God and be in relationship with Him. Through Jesus we can be made new, and as God’s beloved children, love each other as He first loved us. When we make His way our way, we can be forgiven and follow Him to the place He has prepared for us.
Loving Lord, we are thankful for the gift of Your Son who came to free us from the chains of sin and lead us to eternal life with You. Bless us to go in Your name, telling the world of Your love for us. Amen.
