This Is The Way

Me

One of the things I have learned about in preparation for becoming a father is separation anxiety.

One of the reasons for a heightened level of separation anxiety, is in the baby’s mind, absence equals nonexistence. For instance when a mother or father leaves the room and the child cannot see their parent, the baby begins to believe that their parent doesn’t exist anymore and he or she is now completely alone.

But babies are not the only ones who experience separation anxiety. Dogs also do the same thing. That is why they are so sad when you leave and so uncontrollably happy when you return.

We

The disciples didn’t want to experience separation anxiety. They didn’t want Jesus to go. They were troubled and scared.

God

John 14:1 ESV

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

The disciples are troubled and in fear because they have been thinking about the thought that Jesus would die and leave them.

They have been traveling and living with Jesus side by side everyday for over three years.

The thought of being away from their best friend and leader has become daunting.

So much so that Jesus gives them this encouragement:

John 14:2–4 ESV

2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

Not simply an encouragement, but a promise. This is going to happen.

Have you ever read a promise in scripture and thought: “ I wish that was true!”

That sounds great Jesus, but how do I get it?

What are the steps I need to take to get to your father’s house?

Thomas asks exactly that.

John 14:5 ESV

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

And how does Jesus respond? With directions.

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus’s answer is two fold. Jesus gives us the same answer twice.

The way to the Father is Jesus.

Jesus is the way.

We get to heaven through Jesus.

But what does that mean?

What about those of us who need step by step directions.

What turns do I take?

What’s the address?

Jesus answers that questions too, but in a more subtle way.

Let’s break Jesus’ answer apart.

He tells Thomas that He is:

The Way.

The Truth.

The Life.

The Way

What is way of Jesus?

The way of Jesus is the methodology of Jesus. The practice of Jesus. How does Jesus conduct himself? How does Jesus live his life.

Jesus is emphatic.

Jesus is compassionate.

Jesus is inclusive.

Jesus is loving.

Jesus is gentle.

Jesus is present.

Jesus spends time with people.

Jesus eats food with people.

Etc.

This is the way of Jesus. It is perhaps the main attribute that draws people to Jesus, His gentleness, compassion, and love.

Though the way of Jesus is attractive it is often shallow by itself.

The way of Jesus alone does not bring us to the Father’s house.

The way of Jesus must be paired with the Truth of Jesus.

The Truth

What is the truth of Jesus?

The truth of Jesus is the teachings of Jesus.

This is not simply the law of God, though the truth of Jesus does include the law of God.

What are the teachings of Jesus? Check out Matthew 5-7.

Love your enemies.

Put your treasures in heaven.

Do not worry.

Help others experience the Sabbath by giving them rest.

While the way of Jesus alone can be beautiful but shallow.

When the truth of Jesus is alone, it can be deep but legalistic and burdensome.

The Life

We can’t keep the way of Jesus and the truth of Jesus apart. They are two sides of the same coin.

When we begin to combine the way of Jesus and the truth of Jesus, we will experience the life of Jesus.

Jesus is the giver of life both physical and eternal.

But our teachings must be lived out in our empathy and compassion.

In other words, the way of Jesus leads people to the truth of Jesus, which leads to the life of Jesus.

You

For Adventists we excel in the truth of Jesus. Truth? We got it! State of the dead? Got it. Prophecy? You bet ya.

The trick is to combine truth with love. The truth of Jesus must join hands with the way of Jesus.

What would happen if we took this more seriously? If we had as much as an emphasis on the way of Jesus as we have with the truth of Jesus?

How different would our churches look?

We

Granted, not all of us have a high capacity for empathy. But we all have a high calling for love.

Because if we were to simplify John 14:6. It would be this:

The way of Jesus is to love others.

The teaching of Jesus is to learn to love God and love others.

The life of Jesus is understanding that love is what it is all about.

Love is not shallow. It is the deepest and most difficult thing you could do.