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How Can We Know The Way?

          “Jesus: You know the way to where I am going.

           Thomas: Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”-John 14:4-5

 

Years ago I took my nieces and nephews to a science museum located in New Jersey neat the Statue of Liberty. One exhibit left me with an experience I will never forget. It was an exhibit that allowed the participants to experience the world as those with impairments to the senses felt on a day to day basis. The exhibit simulated the loss of vision and perception. I crawled into a small tunnel which was completely dark; I literally could not see anything. My only inclination was to move forward, knowing that the end was somewhere ahead. With each twist and turn, my head would bump into the tunnel wall, forcing me to proceed in another direction. Quickly, a sense of claustrophobia set in, making the short tunnel seem like a long tunnel.

For many of us, my experience in that tunnel is a metaphor for life as well as our spiritual walks. Each Sunday, we have been teaching through God’s Word, about walking by faith, trusting in things unseen and applying those promises to our lives and our walks. How are you doing? Are some days better than others? Are you walking by faith or walking by sight? Are you seeing the light at the end of the tunnel or are you still moving through in utter darkness?

The text from John 14 is one of the most beloved for believers and as a pastor; I often use this as a passage for funerals. But is it just about the next life? The answer to that question requires us to look at the passage in context. So, let us look at this passage in context. Jesus is still speaking to his disciples in the upper room. What has happened previously?

Jesus has said Judas will betray him to the chief priests and elders. Peter will deny knowing him three times before the rooster crows. Then Jesus tells them he will only be with them a little longer. But fear not! Everything will be ok! Really?

“Let not your hearts be troubled.” Jesus says in response to their fears, anxieties and confusion. These are not just simple words to calm the emotions; these are words of power because they are based on heavenly promises that will prove true. How so?

“In my Father’s house are many dwellings.” He states in verse 2. The word for this dwelling place is not so much a ‘mansion’ but a personalized ‘suite’ for each inhabitant. What is being communicated here? If you travel in today’s world, there is always apprehension that something, somewhere is bound to go wrong. This is not Murphy’s Law but the reality of travel in today’s world. There is none of that in Jesus’ statement. Jesus is not promising a broom closet, or a monk’s cell, but a spacious, custom room that He personally built for you with a 100% guarantee. There is no fear of your suite being overbooked, bumped or cancelled; it is backed by an ironclad guarantee. Jesus himself promises “If it were not so, I would have told you.”

But what about the application? The oldest theological/life question found in the Bible appears in the book of Job. Where in Chapter 14, verse 4, Job asks the universal question of the ages. “If man dies, shall he live again?”  As I said, John’s passage is also often used at funerals, but is that the only context of which Jesus speaks? No, the passage is for both the “here and now” and later as well. Yes, Jesus promises that each believer will be with Him when they die, but He will be with us in the present life as well! Jesus’ words have application in the present as well as in the future.

Is there a remedy to this anxiety? Taking God’s promises and applying them to the present is the call of this passage! It gives us an answer with a definite “Yes, there is a remedy to this anxiety!” Faith in Jesus as the Son of God is the basis of preventing one’s heart from being troubled. We see that in Jesus - The Way, the Truth and the Life.

 Thomas’ words always remind me of a song by the group, Styx, from the early 1990’s. It seems like things have not changed much in thirty years.  

           “Every night I say a prayer………

           so afraid that I've lost my faith.

             Show me the way!

            I close my eyes……..

          Then I wake up each morning and turn on the news to find we've so far to go

           Show me the way!

    Give me the strength and the courage to believe,,,,,,
     And please show me the way!

                                            (Excerpts from: Show Me the Way 1990 by the group Styx)

 So how can we know the way? Take time for regular study of God’s Word, pray and submit to the will of God. On June 24, we will be having a prayer day at the church from 10 am to noon. Please join us if you are able.

  Let not YOUR heart be troubled, Jesus Christ overcame the world, sent the Holy Spirit to be our advocate and He will never abandon YOU nor forsake YOU.

                                             Yours In Christ,

                                             Pastor Harry