I am the way, the truth, and the life

“Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too. You know the way to the place I’m going.” Thomas asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you have really known me, you will also know the Father. From now on you know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father; that will be enough for us.” Jesus replied, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been with you all this time? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I have spoken to you I don’t speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me does his works. Trust me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or at least believe on account of the works themselves. I assure you that whoever believes in me will do the works that I do. They will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father can be glorified in the Son. When you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it. (John 14:1-14, CEB)

This text has the line that makes people want to say that Jesus it the only way to Heaven.

Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” But does this say that Jesus is the only way to heaven or eternal life?

This text doesn’t really deal with eternal life and so any mention of that added to the text is reading into what is written.

The Father’s house has many rooms to spare and Jesus is going to make sure there is a space prepared for you and will come back to take us there. And we know where he is going because he has shown us through his life. And then he says “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus doesn’t say you don’t get into the house without him, he already said he was preparing a place for us there and was going to come back and make sure we didn’t get lost.

Jesus says the only way to the Father is through him. Or more specifically no one comes to the father except through him. Now does that mean getting into heaven or getting to be in the Father’s presence? Are these the same thing? I would say no.

There are many paths that lead to eternity and we should not say someone is damned because they choose to take a path different from us. Paul speaks about obtaining the third level of Heaven. So Paul seems to say at one point there are multiple places to arrive in Heaven. Eternity is a long time and we will all come to an understanding of loving as God does over that time and maybe you don’t get to be in the Father’s presence at first. Why do we want to say that this is the only way?

Jesus, himself said there are sheep from other folds that will be a part of this. and how did they get here?

We should be ok living in the shades of gray rather than looking for clear-cut answers.

Live in the questions and love that God gives us.

Loving People. Loving God.

I am

The Jewish opposition answered, “We were right to say that you are a Samaritan and have a demon, weren’t we?” “I don’t have a demon,” Jesus replied. “But I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I’m not trying to bring glory to myself. There’s one who is seeking to glorify me, and he’s the judge. I assure you that whoever keeps my word will never die.” The Jewish opposition said to Jesus, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham and the prophets died, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never die.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died and the prophets died, so who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is meaningless. My Father, who you say is your God, is the one who glorifies me. You don’t know him, but I do. If I said I didn’t know him, I would be like you, a liar. But I do know him, and I keep his word. Your father Abraham was overjoyed that he would see my day. He saw it and was happy.” “You aren’t even 50 years old!” the Jewish opposition replied. “How can you say that you have seen Abraham?” “I assure you,” Jesus replied, “before Abraham was, I Am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and left the temple. (John 8:48-59, CEB)

They picked up stones and threw them at Jesus. Why?

The last thing Jesus said to them was “I assure you,” Jesus replied, “before Abraham was, I Am.” I am. ἐγὼ εἰμί.

When Moses was at the bush and asked God what God’s name was. What was God’s response? I am that I am. ἐγὼ εἰμί.

Jesus just said he is God. Why would they not stone him?

People didn’t buy all the things Jesus said.

Do you?

Do you believe you will never die? And what does it mean to die?

Sometimes I think death is feeling unloved.

We need to love everyone so that all can know that Jesus was here for them. And they can know the love of God.

Loving People. Loving God.

History

The high priest asked, “Are these accusations true?” Stephen responded, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he settled in Haran. God told him, ‘Leave your homeland and kin, and go to the land that I will show you.’ So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After Abraham’s father died, God had him resettle in this land where you now live. God didn’t give him an inheritance here, not even a square foot of land. However, God did promise to give the land as his possession to him and to his descendants, even though Abraham had no child. God put it this way: His descendants will be strangers in a land that belongs to others, who will enslave them and abuse them for four hundred years. And I will condemn the nation they serve as slaves, God said, and afterward they will leave that land and serve me in this place. God gave him the covenant confirmed through circumcision. Accordingly, eight days after Isaac’s birth, Abraham circumcised him. Isaac did the same with Jacob, and Jacob with the twelve patriarchs. “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him into slavery in Egypt. God was with him, however, and rescued him from all his troubles. The grace and wisdom he gave Joseph were recognized by Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and over his whole palace. A famine came upon all Egypt and Canaan, and great hardship came with it. Our ancestors had nothing to eat. When Jacob heard there was grain in Egypt, he sent our ancestors there for the first time. During their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family. Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives—seventy-five in all—and invited them to live with him. So Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our ancestors died. Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had purchased for a certain sum of money from Hamor’s children, who lived in Shechem. (Acts 7:1-16, CEB)

Have you seen the trinkets that say His story? They talk about how the Bible is the story of Jesus. This is Stephen telling His Story.

Stephen is telling them the beginning of the story of the Messiah, Jesus, and all of our stories.

This is your story.

Do you know it like Stephen?

Loving People. Loving God.

False claims…

Stephen, who stood out among the believers for the way God’s grace was at work in his life and for his exceptional endowment with divine power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose from some who belonged to the so-called Synagogue of Former Slaves. Members from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia entered into debate with Stephen. However, they couldn’t resist the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. Then they secretly enticed some people to claim, “We heard him insult Moses and God.” They stirred up the people, the elders, and the legal experts. They caught Stephen, dragged him away, and brought him before the Jerusalem Council. Before the council, they presented false witnesses who testified, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and the Law. In fact, we heard him say that this man Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and alter the customary practices Moses gave us.” Everyone seated in the council stared at Stephen, and they saw that his face was radiant, just like an angel’s. (Acts 6:8-15, CEB)

This is the start of the time Stephen had to defend himself by stating all the things in the scripture that point to Christ.

It is interesting that the people who were listening and those who couldn’t resist the wisdom he spoke with from the Holy Spirit, stirred up people secretly to spread false claims about Stephen.

But God knows and will always be with you. SO when people around you spread false claims just give God the space to be with you and to show who is in the way of God’s love being spread.

Loving People. Loving God.

Over stepping…

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve aside by themselves on the road. He told them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Human One will be handed over to the chief priests and legal experts. They will condemn him to death. They will hand him over to the Gentiles to be ridiculed, tortured, and crucified. But he will be raised on the third day.” Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus along with her sons. Bowing before him, she asked a favor of him. “What do you want?” he asked. She responded, “Say that these two sons of mine will sit, one on your right hand and one on your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink from the cup that I’m about to drink from?” They said to him, “We can.” He said to them, “You will drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left hand isn’t mine to give. It belongs to those for whom my Father prepared it.” Now when the other ten disciples heard about this, they became angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them over and said, “You know that those who rule the Gentiles show off their authority over them and their high-ranking officials order them around. But that’s not the way it will be with you. Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. Whoever wants to be first among you will be your slave— just as the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.” (Matthew 20:17-28, CEB)

I love how the text says this, “Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons” She isn’t even named and this is probably a good thing. She asked for her sons to sit at the right and left of Jesus in the fulfillment of the kingdom.

Well now she probably didn’t know the seating arrangements in heaven and so didn’t know one of those seats is already taken.

We confess each week that Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God. So if Jesus is sitting to the right of the Father, who is at the left side of Jesus?

So which one of the sons is taking the Father’s seat?

We really need to think things through before we say them out loud…

Know you are loved, but also know your place.

Loving People. Loving God.

Blessed

May the God of peace,
        who brought back the great shepherd of the sheep,
        our Lord Jesus,
        from the dead by the blood of the eternal covenant,
    equip you with every good thing to do his will,
        by developing in us what pleases him through Jesus Christ.
    To him be the glory forever and always. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21, CEB)

This is a wonderful blessing or benediction. You may recognize the words if you have been in worship before. It is used as a sending blessing.

It is perfect for sending people into the world.

It asks for those who hear it to be equipped by God to share God’s good will and to do acts of justice and hope for all the community.

Because sharing love and loving those around us pleases God.

Loving People. Loving God.

Why do you serve?

Therefore, I have a request for the elders among you. (I ask this as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and as one who shares in the glory that is about to be revealed.) I urge the elders: Like shepherds, tend the flock of God among you. Watch over it. Don’t shepherd because you must, but do it voluntarily for God. Don’t shepherd greedily, but do it eagerly. Don’t shepherd by ruling over those entrusted to your care, but become examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive an unfading crown of glory. In the same way, I urge you who are younger: accept the authority of the elders. And everyone, clothe yourselves with humility toward each other. God stands against the proud, but he gives favor to the humble. (1 Peter 5:1-5, CEB)

If you serve because you have to, then you need to step away. We should serve the church because we want to, not have to. We need to do it not so we get recognition but so that God’s love is made known.

God loves all of creation and our serving should serve that and show that.

Loving People. Loving God.

I am the Gate

I assure you that whoever doesn’t enter into the sheep pen through the gate but climbs over the wall is a thief and an outlaw. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The guard at the gate opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. Whenever he has gathered all of his sheep, he goes before them and they follow him, because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger but will run away because they don’t know the stranger’s voice.” Those who heard Jesus use this analogy didn’t understand what he was saying. So Jesus spoke again, “I assure you that I am the gate of the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and outlaws, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest. (John 10:1-10, CEB)

In Jesus’ day sheep pens were three sided areas with an opening or possibly 4 sided with what would be an entrance or gate area, but there was no gate. The shepherd would need to sit/lay/stand in the opening to keep the sheep in and the predators out.

Like this picture. Jesus literally is the one who keeps us safe. Looks out for us and watches over us. Being a part of the body is not a hindrance to life, but is life beyond our imagination.

Know you are loved and cared for by God.

Loving People. Loving God.

Celebrate!

All the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to him. The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose someone among you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them. Wouldn’t he leave the other ninety-nine in the pasture and search for the lost one until he finds it? And when he finds it, he is thrilled and places it on his shoulders. When he arrives home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives. (Luke 15:1-7, CEB)

How many of us would leave 99 sheep in the pasture where wolves or other predators can get them to find the one that wandered off?

Seem foolish until you are the 1.

This is the beginning of the lost things chapter where we talk about it being about repentance. The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son or the prodigal son. Really these stories are about the shepherd, not the sheep, and the woman, not the coin, and the father, not the son. They are about the one doing the looking.

Jesus is looking for you. And when Jesus finds you he throws a party!

Celebrate. Share the love of the one who searches for you gives you.

Loving People. Loving God.

honor all

For the sake of the Lord submit to every human institution. Do this whether it means submitting to the emperor as supreme ruler, or to governors as those sent by the emperor. They are sent to punish those doing evil and to praise those doing good. Submit to them because it’s God’s will that by doing good you will silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Do this as God’s slaves, and yet also as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil. Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Have respectful fear of God. Honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2:13-17, CEB)

As God’s chosen people we are free to live in God’s love. Yet we need to submit to the institutions of our life.

Sometimes these rulers do not do the will of God and seek their own agenda. We must know when God is calling us to follow their rule and to know when we must stand against tyranny.

We should not cover up evil but seek to show love in everything.

Help eradicate evil and honor God in showing love.

Loving People. Loving God.