The Way: A Person

Introduction

We have learned that biblical faith must:

Be in something or someone (it must have a real object).

Be based upon information that is true.

Otherwise, trust becomes mistrust.

Truth can be the only basis for legitimate, genuine faith/trust.

Faith in something or someone that turns out to be untrue is misplaced faith/trust.

The last two weeks, we have learned an important lesson:

Eternal life (1 John 1) and Resurrection (John 11) are more than mere concepts.

They are a person.

They call for knowing a person.

What scripture presents to us, then, is not a religion with the concept of an afterlife.

Eternal life, salvation, and resurrection depend upon knowing a person not practicing a religion.

Why is this important?

The Bible does not teach Christianity to be what a religion traditionally is:

Sacrificial system to appease the wrath of the gods.

Dietary system for the truly committed (eat specific foods and drinks, fast from food or drink)

Works or behaviors to avoid the wrath of gods or God and, hopefully, to merit eternal life.

Sura 7:8-9: ‘The weighing of deeds on that day of resurrection will be the truth. Those whose scales are heavy with truth and good deeds, it is they who will be the successful. As for those whose scales are light, because of evil deeds, those are the ones who have lost their souls, causing them to travel toward the fire, because they mistreated; they knowingly denied Our signs.’

In our world, scientists call upon us to believe them. We are told that to believe in God or to believe in the accuracy and truthfulness of the Bible is blind faith. It has become fashionable to think of us as weak-minded. We use religion as a crutch. This has become so common place that it is just assumed to be right. God is invisible. Atheists and scientists, to whatever extent there is a difference in the modern world, claim to believe in only that which they can prove. Their faith is in that which they can support. They don’t need an invisible, intangible, all-powerful deity. So, they assure us, give them enough time and they will finally prove macro-evolution to be true. Currently, scientists have no working theory that accounts for the beginning of the universe. But, if we give them enough time, they claim, enough money, and enough high-powered equipment, they will find the proof. We have been asked to forget God on the basis of theories that have yet to be proven and discoveries that have yet to be made. And, most of the world, especially the Western world, has complied.

Our young people are lonely and depressed. But, they sense no need for marriage or responsibility.

They are locked in the prison of meaninglessness from which they have no means of escape.

Modern scientists only offer them peace by telling them that they have to accept that life is random and without meaning and purpose.

The happiness promised from legalized drugs, alcoholism, and promiscuity has proven a lie.

Relief from the boredom and listlessness of modern life has now taken the form of destroying what it has taken hundreds of years to build while awaiting the excitement of the latest Iphone release.

This has been over a century in the making.

The God of the Bible may be unseen (invisible), but he is neither unknown or unknowable.

He has revealed himself in tangible, physical ways and through historical events.

Jesus in John 14:1-9

He is in the upper room with his disciples partaking of his final Passover meal with them.

John began recording this event in John 12.

Our passage covers the conversation that Jesus initiated after the abrupt departure of Judas Iscariot from the room.

In John 13:33, Jesus announced something that left his disciples shaken and disturbed.

He told them that in a little while they will see him no longer and not be able to come where goes.

They will follow, but it will not be right away.

This is about his death and resurrection AND his ascension and return (simultaneously).

Peter joined the conversation and expresses confusion over Jesus’ meaning in John 13:36.

John 14 is Jesus’ teaching to all of his disciples following his answer to Peter.

John 14:6

Jesus, again, personalizes what are, otherwise, abstract concepts.

He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Christianity does not offer a “path” to God.

Christianity does not claim to offer “truth” in the same way every other religion does.

Christianity does not merely offer a “path” to afterlife.

Jesus makes the universal and exclusive claim that these “concepts” are a person.

The life offered in biblical Christianity comes from knowing someone not from doing religious things.

The one we must know is God.

To know Christ is to know God. (John 14:7-9).

Jesus’ person stands behind these things and makes them real.

Not our minds.

Not our faith.

The faith in God and in Jesus that Jesus himself called for in John 14:1 only has validity if Jesus is right about who he is.

If Jesus is right about who he is, then faith in anything or anyone other than him is misplaced.

This includes trust in ourselves.

Jesus’ Words Give Real Assurance about the Future

What awaits us?

Who awaits us?

Who is coming for us?