Daily Dose of the Word of God - John 14: 1-6

Erin Pacheco, Director of Worship

Transcript

Erin Pacheco  0:07  

Welcome to Elmhurst CRC’s Daily Dose of the Word of God. Today is Friday, March 21 and Sunday is coming! I’m Erin Pacheco.  It’s the season of Lent, and as we journey with Jesus, we’ve been slowing down in the gospel of John, where Jesus shows who he is through dramatic signs — like raising Lazarus from the dead — and where Jesus tells who he is with these “I am” statements — like “I am the Good Shepherd” or “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”   Here’s another such moment from John. Jesus’ death is soon, and he’s talking with his friends. This is John 14:1-6. 

Erin Pacheco  0:58  

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that 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.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Erin Pacheco  1:46  

I love these comforting (and kind of confusing) words from Jesus to his friends. Imagine journeying with Jesus, seeing first-hand his miracles — even him calling someone out of the tomb! — but also feeling the rising tensions around him and knowing that those in power want him dead. There’s so much Jesus’ disciples don’t understand. So much they can’t understand. And they’re afraid.  But Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in me.” Someone has said that maybe a better translation for “believe” is to rest or relax. Rest in Jesus. That perhaps “believing” is less about knowing the right things, and more about knowing the right person. And trusting him. When Thomas (again, Thomas the brave!) asks how they will know the way to the Father, Jesus simply tells him: “I am the way, the truth, the life.” Essentially — keep following me, even when it doesn’t make sense.  Are you feeling lost? Jesus is the way.  Are you feeling confused? Jesus is the truth. Are you longing for dead things to come to life? Jesus is, indeed, the resurrection and the life. 

Erin Pacheco  3:33  

Let’s pray. Jesus, thank you that we don’t have to have it all figured out. You are the way, the truth, and life — and the only path to the good life, both now and forever. Help us to simply rest in you today. Amen.