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Jesus Is the Way
1Jesus said to his disciples, “Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. 2There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. 3After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together. 4You know the way to where I am going.”
5Thomas said, “Lord, we don't even know where you are going! How can we know the way?”
6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father. 7If you had really known me, you would have known the Father. But from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him.”
8Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father. That is all we need.”
9Jesus replied:
Philip, I have been with you for a long time. Don't you know who I am? If you have seen me, you have seen the Father. How can you ask me to show you the Father? 10Don't you believe that I am one with the Father and that the Father is one with me? What I say isn't said on my own. The Father who lives in me does these things.
11Have faith in me when I say that the Father is one with me and that I am one with the Father. Or else have faith in me simply because of the things I do. 12I tell you for certain that if you have faith in me, you will do the same things I am doing. You will do even greater things, now that I am going back to the Father. 13Ask me, and I will do whatever you ask. This way the Son will bring honor to the Father. 14I will do whatever you ask me to do.
Reflect
The disciples are troubled, anxious. Turbulent emotions and poisonous politics about Jesus make them fear for his life – and their own. Now Jesus says he’s leaving them. What will they do without him? Hide? Go back to fishing and tax collecting? And all those miracles and changed lives and joy and peace? What about that?
First, Jesus promises, “Don’t worry. I will come back and take you to be with me.” They will be together in a great mansion with his Father in Heaven.
Second, he tells them, “I am the way and the truth and the life. Without me, no one can go to the Father.” In other words, follow me, believe me, live in me, and you will find God. You will find peace and love beyond your comprehension.
Third, he assures them, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” The disciples have seen Jesus in action and, therefore, they have seen God.
Fourth, Jesus promises, “Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing… even greater.” That means miracles, healing, restoration, and love.
Finally, Jesus promises, “Ask me, and I will do whatever you ask.” Herein lies the power for you in this passage. You may ask for anything. As you follow Jesus, as you believe him, as you strain to hear him, your requests will come in line with his aspirations for you. And he will do what you ask.
Respond
Thank you, Lord, for your promises. Thank you that I have a home with you in eternity. Thank you for showing me the way. Strengthen my faith so I may participate in your healing and love for others. Give me wisdom for the small and great decisions before me. Give me a soft heart for others. Teach me how to pray. Amen.
Adele Simmons
Adele is a conference speaker and award-winning writer, editor, and songwriter, published in print, radio, video, stage, and television. Adele was twice shortlisted for the national Tom Fairley Award for Excellence in Book Editing (2020, 2012, Editors Canada). Two of her award-winning stories appear in the anthology, A Second Cup Of Hot Apple Cider. Along with careers in special education, management, college teaching, and concert ministry, Adele edits books, teaches writing and music, and sings on her worship team.