Jesus, the Way

John 14:1-14
Key Verse 14:6

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

Today’s key verse shows one of Jesus’ divine declarations. There are seemingly many ways in this world according to many opinions. Still many people feel that there is no absolute way. So they habitually say, “No way.” But there is a good news that we have the way. Today Jesus will clarify the reason why he is the way.

Part I. Trust also in me(1-4)

   In the previous passage Jesus gave them a new command to love each other. We learned that it was a very advanced level of love based on what Jesus had done. But their spiritual condition was that they were still surprised and their hearts were greatly troubled with Jesus’ sayings such as one’s betrayal and Peter’s denial up to three times. What’s worse, Jesus said “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: where I am going, you cannot come.”  This led to separation anxiety among them. They did not know what kind of future was holding for them. Their political ambition was to establish an earthly kingdom to occupy Herod’s palace where Jesus would be a king and they would become his Cabinet members. But such their human dreams were now crushed. Soon they’d be unemployed and literally homeless.

  Jesus, being the Good Shepherd, saw their troubled hearts. He said in verse1. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” Here Jesus helps them to overcome anxiety. It is by trusting in God and trusting also in Jesus. On the surface the disciples’ problem is their immediate future security such as, “How could they find a place to sleep?” or “How could they find a job?” As Jesus took care of them so far, Jesus could have provided these things for them immediately. But Jesus saw their much deeper problem. That was, they did not trust in God! Instead of helping them humanly, Jesus wanted to help them out to trust in God.

   Here for a moment let’s think about the word “trust.” In a real world trusting relationship is not a easy or an overnight thing. It is to be earned. It develops and achieves gradually over time. In “the Chronicles of Narnia,” Lucy and Aslan are a good example to build up relationship. At first She feared the lion. Gradually though, she made friends and dared reach to touch his mane. Over time their friendship grew and she even hugged his neck. Likewise we can see certain progression in this verse. Trust in God first and trust in Jesus second. As God’s chosen people they first learned how to fear God. They are afraid of calling or writing God’s name just as they are standing in front of a lion. They didn’t “feel” God that much at first. My question here. What then made them trust in God? It’s because of the credentials of God in the Old testament namely “history books of the Israelites.” They saw clearly how God is reliable to trust. For instance God rescued the Israelites from Egypt according to his promise given to Abraham 650 years before. God released his chosen people from Babylon captivity according to his promise given to Jeremiah 70 years before. More fundamentally according to God’s promise in Genesis 3:15, God sent his one and only Son Jesus who is now with them. So God is trustworthy and keeps his word of promise. In this way over time he proved himself to be faithful. So fear or anxiety comes from a lack of faith. God is almighty.  He is sovereign. He loves us. He has a good master plan. He is like a good and powerful Lion in Narnia. He wants us to trust him. It is easy to trust our bank accounts because according to statistics we Americans are afraid the most of how to pay the bill on time every month. But we must have faith in him no matter what and overcome inner fear and anxiety because he is living, faithful, and trustworthy. It reminds me of a Hymn song, “Under his wings.” It goes like this. “Under His wings, I am safely abiding. Tho’ the night deepens and tempests are wild, Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me. He has redeemed me and I am his child. Under His wings, under His wings, Who from His love can sever? Under His wings my soul shall abide, Safely abide forever.”

Then Jesus said, “Trust also in me?” What does it mean? How did they build up trust in Jesus too? There are also certain step or progression to know him better and build up trust relationship among them. One day they first knew Him as a mere Galilean Country rabbi. But gradually they opened their eyes to see who he is. Through faith and personal obedience their trust germinated and grew in them. Then, He became their personal shepherd. That continually changed to their true Savior and the promised Messiah and then the Lord and Master, even King to be worthy of their devotion. Although their attitude and behavior didn’t still consistently match their confession of faith like Peter, over time they became Jesus’ Friends. When they get to know him through personal relationship after three year common life, Jesus become all things to them. What is going on now? Except Judas Iscariot time spent together and clinging to Him through this darkest times cemented the tight bond that developed trust further and to build up the complete trust in Jesus. At this point of time it might not be easy to trust in Jesus because Jesus looked weak and distressed due to imminent suffering and death. In fact they thought that Jesus needed help. But Jesus overcame it through trusting his Father in prayer and showed absolute faith to help them out. Jesus knows what he is doing. Regardless of the situation, he denied himself and took up his cross of suffering and obeyed God’s will to the end. It means, he determined to die on the cross. With such sacrificial love, Jesus took care of them as the good shepherd. His disciples had trusted him until now. He even showed the full extent of his love despite Judas’ betrayal. Also he wrapped up his message with a new command to love one another. Therefore they must continue to trust him. We must look away from ourselves, away from our problems and anxieties and look up to Jesus. We must entrust our lives and our futures to Him. Faith is not a feeling but a matter of decision through reasoning the credentials of Jesus and His fresh full extent of divine love. So we must make a personal decision to trust in Him. Here I like to introduce one formula of equation summarizing two “Trust in God and trust also in Jesus”, so called “trust squared.” It equals a peaceful heart. It’s more important than any equation such as Einstein field equations.

Here practically we can also follow Jesus’ example when teaching the Bible to our Bible students. Surely they have many problems here and there. If you try and take care of all their little problems, you will only exhaust yourself. Rather than trying to fix each individual problem, be like Jesus. Solve their deeper problem by giving them the word of faith. Nothing is more important than teaching them to trust in God and Jesus instead of mere human comfort or quick other ways of relief.

 Look at verses 2-4. “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Jesus tried to help them further. “My Father’s house” is a Biblical terminology for the kingdom of God. He gave them the glorious promise of God that was “hope in the kingdom of God.” Although they heard about God’s kingdom many times, but they could not buy it due to their fixed idea or ambition for earthly kingdom. But Jesus knew that now is high time to plant the same message. We can overcome our troubles and fears when we truly trust in the coming Kingdom of God. In other versions, many rooms are called mansions. The kingdom of God may be somewhat abstract for his young disciples, so Jesus describes the kingdom as his Father’s house which has many rooms or many mansions. Jesus is going to prepare a place for us. He will also come back to bring us there so that we can be with him. Here Jesus is referring to his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. He paves the way for us to enter into his heavenly home. In other words, Jesus told his disciples that his going away had a clear purpose and meaning. Even his going away was for their benefits. He gave them a promise for the eternal heavenly kingdom.

 Revelations 21 describes this very well. There will be streets of pure gold as pure as glass, pearly gates, with city walls decorated with every type of precious stone. Most importantly, this is the dwelling place of God himself. We will be dwelling with him in His house, dining at the table with our King. In heaven, there will be no need for light because the glory of God gives it light. Nothing is impure. There will be no tears, because there will be no death and no sorrow. There will be no exams, no job problems, and no anxiety. Jesus went ahead of us to prepare such place for us. The disciples were only searching for physical rest for the tired bodies and minds, but Jesus tried to give them rest for their souls. He gave them the real and everlasting hope of God in the kingdom to come. Later Simon Peter with earthbound desires sitting at this last supper table realized the temporary nature of this world and finally graduated from his inner fear and human ambition. He fearlessly preached the Word and suffered greatly by following Jesus because of his new hope in the kingdom of God that will never spoil, perish or fade(1Pe 1:3,4).

Part II. Jesus, the Way (5-14) 

   The disciples, however, were still largely confused by Jesus’ sayings. They wondered where this place would be and why they could not go. Especially Thomas known as the doubter, spoke up and asked Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus helped him gently in verse 6. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” Here Jesus declared himself as the way and the truth and the life. Let’s think about this statement one by one. Especially “I am the way.”

 They say that life is a journey, not a destination. People are aware that they are traveling through time but they don’t have a clear sense of direction. They don’t know where they are heading for. That’s why there are ongoing anxiety like the disciples. But Jesus knows exactly where to go and can tell us where we should go. Life in Jesus is not a random walk. Life in Jesus is a pilgrimage back to the kingdom of God. We need to get back to the paradise that was lost through the sin of Adam and Eve. God placed cherubim with a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way back to the tree of life (Ge 3:24), by celestial homeland security guards angels. But according to God’s unfailing and unconditional love, he sent his One and Only Son, Jesus and bridged such gap between God and man. It became the new and living way to heaven(Heb 10:20). His death and resurrection opens the door for us into the heavenly kingdom. John 3:13 says, “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man.” Jesus is the only one from heaven and the only one who knows the way. So Jesus himself is the way.

 “I am the way” also means that Jesus is not a belief system or any organization. He is the real person. Following the way is to have a personal relationship with the very person, Jesus. Personal relationship with Jesus does not mean that each person has to make his own way. Rather it means that we discover Jesus who is the real person as well as our role model by studying the Bible with meditation and personal application.

  To young people facing difficult life choices in this colorfully changing generation, the responsibility to make their own way is too overwhelming. They are told, “Everyone should use their own best judgment. Be true to yourself.” Everyone is expected to invent his own value system or religion and has to find his own way. But it is too much and heavy to bear. It is also unrealistic for human beings are weak and sinful. Even if they know what they are supposed to do, they cannot do it on their own. Apostle Paul had been there and done that(Romans 7:24), saying “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death.” We need someone stronger and smarter than us who can teach us values, showing us exactly how to live and then help us to make it. It is Jesus who can show us ‘the way’ and actually take our hands to the very place where to go. Jesus is now doing the same thing among us too. He went to heaven to prepare a eternal dwelling place for us and he will come back and take us to be with him forever just as he has promised to his disciples. Indeed Jesus is the WAY! Jesus didn’t say, “I will show you the way.” Rather, “I am the way.”

  Here in brief let’s think about the trend of our nation, America shaping our thoughts. No doubt the most distinctive and prolonged contribution to Americans was pragmatism that rejected all forms of absolutism. It is based on the principle that human beings could be wrong about their beliefs, expectations, or their understanding of the world. We also live in a postmodern generation that rejects all the ways of the past. It also claims that there is no absolute truth and that the way they perceive the world is nothing but subjective and relative. Each person is expected to make his own way. At this atmosphere, there is a common phenomenon so called “fad”. It is any form of behavior that develops among a large population and is collectively followed with enthusiasm for some period because of its freshness. The number of people adopting it increase rapidly. But the problem is that it fades quickly once the freshness is gone. The hippie movement was one typical example. Can you remember the movie titled “Rebel without a cause” played by James Dean in 1955? Also in mid 1970, Elvis Presley sang a song “My Way” more passionately than Frank Sinatra, so many young people loved his song and still missed him very much. It became one of favorite songs for funeral. Because of time shortage I will sing a little bit. And now, the end is near; And so I face the final curtain. My friend, I’ll say it clear, I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain. I’ve lived a life that’s full. I’ve traveled each and ev’ry highway;
And more, much more than this, I did it my way.

 In a broad sense as a part of hippie movement, so called “Jesus movement” was a quite noticeable movement in HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity" \t "_blank"  Christianity which focused on signs, miracles, wonders or healing. It began on here in HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Coast_of_the_United_States" \t "_blank"  West Coast in 1970s and spreading nationwide and worldwide. What I am trying to say here is that always there are so many fads and trends that are powerfully appealing to contemporary people, in particular young people who are inevitably looking for fresh or new things. But these are merely different ways seemingly idealistic. But eventually all will fade away by themselves because simply speaking it is not the authentic way of Jesus, being centered or focused on Jesus the true person. Knowing Jesus in person requires much deeper root and personal relationship with him to put trust in Him. Always undesirable or negative outcomes awaits at the time of deviation from Jesus and His way. Jesus says, “I am the Way.” I also found the fact that many movements started from CA. So I realized that I am in the very important land of mission in our own generation. So God gave me a vision. That is to go back to the Bible and teach young people personally through one to one, making disciples to help them take deep root in Jesus who is the way. In the book of Genesis God chose one person, Abram and blessed him to grow as a father of all nations. In John’s gospel here Jesus chose Peter to change him to be a man of rock. We can follow such examples, teaching young people to trust in God and also trust in Jesus with their hearts and souls. They will surely grow in their well balanced faith God is pleased with.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.’” The way, the truth and the life are not separate things but they are different characteristics of the same person, Jesus. These three things go hand in hand. Because Jesus knew clearly where he came from and where he’s going, he not only knows the way but also speaks the truth. What is truth? It is unchanging, constant, not false, universal, and absolute. So where in this world can we find such truth? Everything is changing, everything is relative. People change their minds every other second according to colorful conditions or situations. But Jesus himself is faithful and consistent for he is the truth.

  In addition to being the way and the truth, Jesus himself is also the life. John 1:4 reads, “In him was life, and that life was the light of the men.” He is the life because he gives us a new life after death. Jesus says in chapter 11:25, 26, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Also Jesus says in 5:24, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” According to these verses, when we hear Jesus’ words and believe in God, we have eternal life. Jesus gives us the way to escape eternal death and condemnation. We see many Americans hitting the gym, lifting weights, trying to diet correctly, taking all kinds of medicine. We are focused on extending our lives in this world. But what real value is there if you do not have eternal life? Jesus, the author of life, can only give us such eternal life. In the past I used to be a medical doctor who can only prolong patients’ physical life. Through studying the John’s gospel, I realized the fact that “if I really want to help the people, I must introduce them Jesus who can give them eternal life.” Since then whenever I share Jesus’ words of the way and the truth with students, I experienced His resurrection life.

 Look at v.8. When Jesus said this, another difficult young man opened his mouth. His name was Philip. He said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough.” Philip was a brilliant mathematician and insisted on a hard copy or evidence of the Father. According to 1 Timothy 6:16, God is immortal and unapproachable light and no one has seen or can see. But (John 1:14 and 18) thankfully Jesus became flesh and made his dwelling among his disciples. They had privilege that they have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only who was at the Father’s side and came from the Father. He has made himself known to us. Also Hebrew 1:3 says, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” So Philip could have pictured the Father in and through Jesus.

 So Jesus said in v. 9-11, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who 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 that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.” Again Jesus is the very image of the invisible God(Col 1:15a). Have you been taken x-rays? X-rays are images for your body. Likewise God shows himself through His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ.

  Look at verses 12-14. Let’s read them all together. “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask for anything in my name, and I will do it.”  Jesus encouraged him and other disciples that they could do more than Jesus had done while on earth if they have faith. Jesus entrusted his disciples for the great work of God. If they pray by faith in Jesus’ name, they can be made powerful and do a great work of God. Jesus had a great vision to see through what would happen through his disciples when they have faith.

In conclusion, Jesus is the way because he himself is the truth and the life. Jesus becomes the only way to God. By trusting Him only in 2012, we can do the great work for God’s glory. One word: Jesus, the way!