Jesus Is The Way

Introduction

We ended last week’s message with a sobering question: Since persecution is to be expected by Jesus’ followers, why would we follow Jesus? I mean, its not exactly a selling point, is it?

Jesus knows all things and anticipated that His followers would struggle with questions like this. Fear has been too demonized within the church.

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Yes, that verse is in the Bible. But in isolation it is not the whole story. Let’s start with the fact that the verse begins with the word for. That means it is connected to whatever came before it, and most people who memorized or quote this verse probably didn’t memorize or quote the verse before it.

2 Timothy 1:6 NKJV

6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

The word translated to stir up portrays the idea of stirring the hot embers of a fire that is dying so that the fire is stronger. It’s also a reminder. Translation: when you are struggling and the fire is going out, you need to do something.

The truth is none of us is confident and powerful all the time.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon was, by almost any standard, a giant of the faith. He pastored a church of thousands in London long before the modern, expired trend of mega churches was a thing. He routinely preached to thousands, trained pastors, wrote books, travelled, et al. But what many are less aware of is that he struggled with depression his entire adult life. And his wife was shackled to her home due to her own physical and mental health issues, meaning that his great works were done without her presence and support. He did have the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind…but it was a spirit that sometimes approached extinction and required maintenance just as it does for all of us.

Which brings us back to our question: Why?

There are two parts to that answer.

Part 1: Faith is a journey

We see this modelled in the lives of Jesus’ Disciples who would one day become the great Apostles of the faith.

John 6:67–69 NKJV

67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Part 2: Jesus is the destination

As Paul said in Hebrews 12

Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Or, as Jesus said simply in John 14

John 14:6 NKJV

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

John 14, which will be our text for the next few weeks, is telling. Jesus was hours away from the cross and knew that His followers were going to face a substantial crisis in their faith journey. He wanted them to be ready and to be helped even after His departure. As it was, His closest followers were wrestling with questions and Jesus was helping them with answers.

Transition

This verse, which we often quote to the skeptical, was actually given to the struggling faithful: to us. It is true and powerful on its own, but it also serves as an outline for the entire chapter as Jesus sought to shore up the faith of the faithful.

Illumination

Jesus is the way

It was Jesus’ statements in chapter 13 that prompted some questions. The specific statement was:

John 13:33 NKJV

33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you.

It was Simon Peter who asked the first question and got a bit more than he bargained for by way of answer.

John 13:36–38 NKJV

36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” 37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” 38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

Jesus clearly knew the extent of the struggle Peter would face and was already beginning to face; they all were. That led to the first answer: I am the way.

John 14:1–4 NKJV

1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

We hear these words and our minds are immediately drawn to Heaven. Jesus is speaking about Heaven. Jesus is the way to Heaven. RIght?

That is true but there is more here, too.

Jesus is the way of faith

Jesus, not just God. This was an important distinction for Jewish followers who believed in God. But this is an equally important distinction for anyone: many people believe, in some general way, in God. But Jesus is far more specific.

Jesus is the way of belonging

In God’s House or Kingdom there are already many mansions—luxurious places to belong—for many people. Jesus is preparing even more so there is a luxurious place to belong for each of His followers.

Jesus is the way of receiving

Having established a place of belonging, Jesus promised to receive His followers. Is that important? Absolutely. If persecution means being driven out or driven away. We need a new place to belong and a new people to belong with. Jesus is our people. Others who belong to Jesus are our people. He will receive us.

Conclusion

This is so much more than just a vague sense of Heaven. It is the promise that our need to fit in will be fully and finally met. That is significant to us. We can struggle with our faith and ultimately come to a place of rest because Jesus is that way.

Of course, one answer breeds more questions. So the chapter continues.