I am the way

The Way In

Posted on by Betsy

A few years ago my daughter and son-in-law took us to a secret speak-easy in Orlando called Roka Hulu. It was located inside a restaurant with no discernible doorway. We stumbled around the large lobby for several minutes trying to find the door. Then someone came up to us and explained that you had to sit in chairs that were located next to a tall leopard statue and wait for someone to notice you and “buzz” you in. The platform you were sitting on suddenly began to move and you were rotated around, finding yourself inside a hidden restaurant filled with color, people, and mouth-watering Asian cuisine. It was fun, as long as you knew the way in!

I thought of that today when I read Paul’s letter to the Hebrews where he described Jesus as a “new and living way” into the Father. We remember that at Jesus’ death, the curtain to the Holy of Holies in the Temple was torn, signifying that the barrier to God was broken. The forgiveness of sins offered there makes us clean and enables us to draw close to the Lord with genuine hearts. And we know the way in; Jesus is the way.

Hebrews 10 (Common English Bible)

19 Brothers and sisters, we have confidence that we can enter the holy of holies by means of Jesus’ blood, 20 through a new and living way that he opened up for us through the curtain, which is his body, 21 and we have a great high priest over God’s house.

22 Therefore, let’s draw near with a genuine heart with the certainty that our faith gives us, since our hearts are sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies are washed with pure water.

23 Let’s hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, because the one who made the promises is reliable.

Jesus is the way to the Father. It is only in Jesus that we see who the Father is and what the Father is like. And only Jesus can lead us to the Father, having paid the price of admission with his crucifixion on a cross. Other faith systems will lead to other gods, but only the God-incarnate, Emmanuel, Word-made-flesh Jesus can take us to the one true God. This radical statement undoes centuries of reliance on the Temple, Festivals, rituals, and altar sacrifices. The Father is no longer in the Holy of Holies; this Father and Son reunion, surrounded by the Holy Spirit, is the new heaven. 

Think about it this way. You have lost your on a country road heading toward a vacation cabin. You can’t get a signal for your GPS so you stop to ask directions. A friendly store owner gives you a fourteen-point series of directions that includes things like “turn south at Henry’s pig farm” and “go right at the corner where the old school house used to be.” There is no way you’d ever get there! But what if it turns out that the store keeper is the son of the cabin owner and gets in the car and drives you there, turn by turn, until you arrive safely at your destination? That would be the only way. The only way to the Father is through the Son.

The night before Jesus died on the cross, he gathered with his disciples and told them he was leaving. Thomas was frightened and replied that they didn’t know the way to where Jesus was going. Jesus’ answer to Thomas was an invitation to recognize him as the Way. He didn’t just give him advice and directions. He held out his hand and said, “Come. I’ll take you.”

As we make our way through the rest of our days to the one who is the Way to eternal life, let us listen to what Paul says about how to spend this remaining time:

24 And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. 25 Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.

Let us spark love by doing good deeds, and keep up our worship attendance, encouraging everyone along the way about the Way.

Do you know the Way?

The Way to the Father by Kathy Schumacher

Follow the Way

Posted on by Betsy

Today we are going to look at the John 14 passage again and focus our attention on Thomas’ question and Jesus’ answer. I love that Thomas was bold enough to ask what everyone else in the Upper Room that night was probably thinking! My teacher friends tell me that they always appreciate that kid with all the questions. They’re the ones that get all the answers.

John 14 (Common English Bible)

 “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. 2 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? 3 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. 4 You know the way to the place I’m going.”

     5 Thomas asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

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

Thomas the Questioner was someone who probably never let a question go unspoken. He was not a doubter in my mind, but just the one who was bold enough to state his confusion. Every small group needs a Thomas! We’ve all known Thomases in our time; that child who barrages you with questions at every meal, the coworker who engages in a debate at every chance, and even the secret places in our own hearts where wondering turns into endless querying, especially in times of trouble. But we have to give Thomas his due here, because his unabashed questioning gave us one of Jesus’ best and most definitive statements of his life. To answer Thomas’ nervous claim that they didn’t know where Jesus was going or how to get there, Jesus gave this calm response “I am the way, the truth and the life” (verse 14:6a). 

Connecting these three things would have meant a great deal to the Jewish men sitting around that table. The Jews have talked about the way for centuries, connecting it to the way people must walk by understanding the ways of God. God told Moses not to walk to the right hand or the left hand, but to walk “in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you” (Deuteronomy 5:33). The Law and all of the rabbinical teachings centered around the way of God and the way people must walk. 

One of the ways that people must walk is by seeking the truth in all things; a truth that would hold up to their teachings. The Torah and the Midrash (rabbinic interpretation) must be studied in order for people of God to learn the truth. Moral truth was the goal and study was the way.

And all good Jews sought a path that led to a good life. Many of the Psalms and Proverbs expressed this desire: “He who heeds instructions is on the path to life” (Proverbs 6:23). A worthy life that was worth living was the proof of obedience.

Jesus clarified that he was the culmination of Jewish expectation, wrapped up in these three pillars of thought and offered to everyone. Jesus provides the way that gives direction to all who wander in confusion and affliction. Jesus is the truth that answers all of life’s mysteries. Jesus is the life that brings hope to those who are dead inside and don’t know how to go on.

The way, the truth, and the life. Jesus is the three-in-one answer to all of life’s questions. Looking for eternal life? Follow Jesus.

The Way of Light by Michelle Robertson

Room to Spare

Posted on by Betsy

In just a few weeks, my household will expand to include four more adults, six children, two dogs, and a tortoise named Bob. I have been getting rooms ready for this onslaught of family fun, and have enjoyed turning my upstairs office into a puppy palace for grandchild #4 to sleep in. I was just a little embarrassed recently when I looked at myself in a ZOOM call with my District Superintendent and other committee members and realized that you could see puppy decor hanging from the ceiling fan. Nobody mentioned it but I’m sure they were wondering why there were corgis and lab puppies dangling over my head. I’m just trying to make room for one more!

In our passage today, Jesus told his disciples about the things yet to come.  We join them in the Upper Room on the night before the crucifixion. He had just washed his disciple’s feet and was getting them ready for his trial and crucifixion. Even with such horrors on the horizon, Jesus’ words were meant to comfort them. He had just told them that he will soon die but reminded them of his promise to return for them. He is going ahead to get things ready and assures them that there will be a reunion where they will be with him again. “Where I am, you will be, too,” he promised (verse 3b).    

John 14:1-6

 “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. 2 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? 3 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. 4 You know the way to the place I’m going.”

     5 Thomas asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

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

Jesus’ first words about not being troubled are followed by his invitation to trust, which he said twice. Jesus knew how frightened they were. He wanted to leave them with hope as they faced the fearful situation of his departure. Regardless of what they may think heaven is like, Jesus gave them this concrete hope; heaven is wherever I am. Heaven is where God and I dwell. So do not let your hearts be troubled. Jesus’ death and resurrection are the “preparing” of this dwelling. Jesus’ promise to “come and get you” is the Second Coming. 

What a blessing it is to read this today in the Common English Bible, the assigned text for all of my Cokesbury writing assignments. The phrase “room to spare” opens up an entirely new promise for us. You may be more familiar with the phrase “My father’s mansion has many rooms,” but that imposes an image in our minds of a static house built with a set number of rooms. But “room to spare” implies an open-ended invitation to anyone who wants to come in. Like Hermione’s tent in The Goblet of Fire, God’s eternal presence will just keep expanding and adding space for everyone to fit in.      

This phrase also provides a beautiful counterpoint to Jesus’ first night on earth when there was no room to spare for him and his parents at the Inn. The majesty of an endless eternal dwelling place replaces the harsh lowliness of Jesus’ first night in a feed trough. This place with plenty of room to spare will be a function of our relationship with God, where God dwells in us and we dwell in God.

So let us be untroubled. Let us trust in God and his Son. Let us make ourselves ready for that place with room to spare. And let us be sure to invite others in, too.

Who Let the Dogs In??

I Am the Way

Posted on by Betsy

This week we are going to study Jesus’ Farewell Discourse from John 14. As we move though Lent to Easter, we want to be focused on Jesus’ last weeks, activities, and words. Today we will consider what Jesus meant when he told his disciples that he was “the way” to the Father:

John 14 (Common English Bible)

14 “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. 2 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? 3 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.4 You know the way to the place I’m going.”

5 Thomas asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you have really known me, you will also know the Father. From now on you know him and have seen him.”

  Jesus is the way to the Father just as surely as the front door is the way into the house. Because of that one, single, profound action of taking the sins of the world upon himself, Jesus is the only way. Without that moment, our sins would never be forgiven. In its essence, sin is separation from God. Without Jesus, there is no entryway of repentance/forgiveness/grace. All who believe in him will be saved.

We can see in this passage that even toward the end of his ministry, Jesus still struggled with his disciples for understanding and acceptance. He was not the Messiah they had been looking for, and so they still were unsure about exactly who Jesus was. The mystery of the incarnation was still confusing to them. How could Jesus really be the Son of God?

The disciples didn’t yet know the end of the story, but we do. We see all the promises of God, the foretelling of the prophets, and the works of Jesus himself come together in this passage and we know without a doubt that Jesus made good on his word. He returned to the Father to get the house ready for our arrival. And because he lives, we shall live also.

We can glean a deeper meaning from “way” by studying John’s use of the word “hodos.” Hodos is more than just finding a route to a location, but rather a way of living that leads to eternity. In the Psalms, the word “way” is used as a metaphor to describe a life lived in accordance to doing the will and desire of God. Thus the “way” describes a person of faith’s connection to God.1 Jesus is not just the path, but the lifestyle that must be adopted in order to reach the Father. Jesus’ proclamation that he is going before us to prepare things is a direct invitation to follow him in all of his “ways” by following his teachings and example.

In John 15, Jesus makes the way crystal clear: “This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you” (John 15:12). When we love each other in the way that Jesus loves us, we know our feet are on the right path.What is God asking you to do in order to follow his way? Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there a task yet undone, or some loose end to tie up?

 I hope this brings you a moment of joy today. Even when things seem very dark in this world, knowing that Jesus is holding the front door of heaven open gives us strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Jesus reminds us that he is in the Father and the Father is in him: This is the way. Is God asking you to prepare yourself for the home Jesus has prepared for you? Best get to it. You know the way.

The Way by Kathy Schumacher

The Way In

Posted on by Betsy

This summer was a wonderful time of family visits for me. Both daughters came to the Outer Banks for a week and we re-enacted their childhood vacations. We took their children to all of their favorite places: the Currituck lighthouse, the sound beach in Colington, the Jolly Roger restaurant, the aquarium on Roanoke Island, the Christmas Shop … I lived those days through the present lens of introducing my grandchildren to their mother’s favorite spots while looking through the lens of the past, remembering their mothers as little girls all those many summers ago. It was heaven. I pray that no matter where my grandchildren live when they grow up, they will always return to the Outer Banks and bring their own children.

As I prepared the house and their bedrooms for their visit, I was washed in the nostalgia of my time as a young mother. I still have the bedsheets and some of the furniture from my children’s rooms growing up, and making the beds and decorating the rooms for their visit brought me such joy.

John 14: 1-14

14 “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. 2 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? 3 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.4 You know the way to the place I’m going.”

Thinking of Jesus preparing our rooms for our trip to heaven is a glorious thought. I wonder if it brings him the same joy it brought me as I anticipated my family’s summer visit. Does he smooth out the comforters and carefully arrange the throw pillows? Is he humming while he vacuums?

One thing is for sure … I bet the Son of God knows how to fold a fitted sheet.

5 Thomas asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you have really known me, you will also know the Father. From now on you know him and have seen him.”

Jesus is the way to the Father just as surely as the front door is the way into the house. Because of that one, single, profound action of taking the sins of the world upon himself, Jesus is the only way. Without that moment on the cross, our sins would never be forgiven. In its essence, sin is separation from God. Without Jesus, there is no entryway of repentance/forgiveness/grace/faith. All who believe in him will be saved.

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father; that will be enough for us.”

9 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’? 10 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. 11 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. 12 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. 13 I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father can be glorified in the Son. 14 When you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.

We can see in this passage that even toward the end of his ministry, Jesus still struggled with his disciples for understanding and acceptance. He was not the Messiah they had been looking for, and so they still were unsure about exactly who Jesus was. The mystery of the incarnation was still confusing to them. How could Jesus really be the Son of God?

The disciples didn’t yet know the end of the story, but we do. We see all the promises of God, the foretelling of the prophets, and the works of Jesus himself come together in this passage and we know without a doubt that Jesus made good on his word. He returned to the Father to get the house ready for our arrival.

And because he lives, we shall live also.

I hope that brings you a moment of joy today. Even when things seem very dark in this world, knowing that Jesus is holding the front door of heaven wide open gives us strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. What is God asking you to do before you go? Is there someone you need to forgive, a friend you need to witness to, a task yet undone, or a loose end to tie up? Best get to it. You know the way.

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow by Rena Farrelly