Acts 7:55-60; John 14:1-14
Last week we looked at two of the I AM statements in John’s gospel, “I AM the Gate” and “I AM the Good Shepherd.” And, today we are going to look at one more, “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” There are actually seven “I AM” statements in John and if you want a full list they are on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall. All of Jesus’ “I AM” statements are packed with meaning. All of them connect Jesus with the Great I AM who is the author of creation and the God who called Moses to lead the people of Israel out of bondage in Egypt and into the Promised Land. And, all of them reveal something important about Jesus; they are not mere metaphors – they are declarations of who Jesus truly is. Jesus IS the Gate. Jesus IS the Good Shepherd. And, Jesus IS the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
As we look more carefully this particular I AM statement, we need to put it in context. It is part of Jesus’ Farewell Address to his disciples. All of the gospels tell us the on the night he was betrayed that Jesus gathered in a large upper room for a last meal with his followers. John reveals that Jesus used this opportunity to offer his final words before his crucifixion. At the beginning of the evening Jesus explained the importance of being a servant by washing the disciples’ feet and then said, “Now that I … have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” As the evening progressed he explained the importance of love with a new commandment, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Then Jesus offered words of comfort in advance of his crucifixion.
Jesus knows what is unfolding around him; he knows that the darkness is gathering for its final assault. And, in response, he offers words of comfort and hope to his closest friends. Jesus reassures them (and us) by offering a glimpse of heaven – a place for the household of God; a place large enough to hold all of God’s beloved children. Jesus assures his disciples (and us) with the promise that he is not abandoning us; though he will be out of sight for a time, Jesus will return and he will take us to be with him in God’s presence for all eternity.
Not surprisingly, Jesus’ disciples did not completely understand all that he was saying to them. So, Thomas asked the obvious question, the question we would all like an answer to, “Where is heaven, and how do we get there?” There are several places in the Bible where people are given a vision of heaven and they try to put the wonder and the glory into words. They speak of gates made of pearl and streets paved with gold; but, the description I like best comes directly from Jesus: Heaven is a place for me in God’s house. Yes, there are details I am curious about; but, I am content to know Jesus has prepared a place just for me in God’s house. But, that does not really answer Thomas’ question to Jesus, “Where are you going and how can we follow?”
Over the centuries Christians have tried to answer Thomas’ question by pointing to a map. The medieval church tried to locate hell somewhere beneath the earth and heaven somewhere in the sky. However, those ideas do not really help us today when men have walked on the moon and sent spacecraft out of the solar system. For me, heaven in not a place I can locate on a map; heaven is a relationship. This may help explain what I mean: A young couple was in the military and moved constantly. The wife’s parents asked when they were going to settle down and get a home of their own. She replied by embracing her husband and said, “Here is my home.” So, where is my heavenly home? Heaven is where I am surrounded by God’s loving embrace.
But, there is still the second part of Thomas’ question, “How do we get to heaven?” If heaven is not a specific “where” but more of a “who” then we do not get there with our feet but with our hearts. If, as I believe, heaven is being surrounded by God’s love, then the “Way” to heaven is to love and embrace the one who came to reveal God’s love, Jesus Christ. And, we “travel” to God by deepening our relationship with Jesus through study, service, prayer, and worship. As we study and learn more about Jesus we travel the Way and come closer to him. As we serve alongside Jesus we travel the Way and come closer to him. As we talk to and listen to Jesus in prayer we travel the Way and come closer to him. As we praise and worship Jesus we travel the Way and come closer to him. So, how do we get to heaven? By following Jesus Christ, the Way that leads to God.
Jesus could have answered Thomas’ question by saying, “I Am the Way,” but he went further; Jesus said, “I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life.” What more does Jesus add when he tells us that he is the Truth and the Life?”
What is Truth? You may remember that that was Pilate’s question as he stood in judgment of Jesus? How would we answer that question today? Well, I believe there are several characteristics of truth. First, Truth is not contradicted by other evidence. When a child tells you they did not eat the cookies but their face is covered in cookie crumbs you might doubt they are telling the truth. Second, Truth is not afraid to be scrutinized because only false accusations can be hurled against it. Finally, Truth leads to freedom. A person wrongly convicted of a crime expects to be released when the truth is known. Jesus’ life and words stand as ultimate Truth. No evidence can be brought against Jesus; his words and deeds stand as the perfect revelation of God’s plan for his children. Jesus did not speak in secret but revealed God’s love to all. And, above all, those who follow Jesus are freed from the bondage of deceit and falsehood; we are freed to live in the truth of God. By ourselves we can say little about God; we can merely point to God in ways that are often confusing or contradictory. But, Jesus is the Truth. His words, his life, his very being show forth the Truth of the glory of God. In Jesus there is no darkness; there is only the pure light of God’s truth.
Jesus is the Way – the way to find ourselves surrounded by God’s Love. Jesus is the Truth – the one who reveals God without shadow or distortion. And, perhaps most importantly, Jesus is the Life! If there is one mystery that baffles science it is Why is there life in the universe? The physical laws of gravity and quantum mechanics may help us understand the origin of stars and planets; but, they offer little guidance as we seek to understand the origin and reason for life. As we explore that question of life we must turn to God, the one who made us and breathed life into our bodies. Questions of life here-and-now and life to come are answered when we turn to Jesus. For Jesus is the one who shows us how to live abundantly by embracing God and serving those around us in love. Jesus is the one who leads us through our physical death to life no longer measured in years or even millennia. In Jesus we find more than the source of life we find Life itself.
As the world sought Jesus’ destruction, he gathered with his friends and disciples and offered these words of hope and comfort, “I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life.” As we gather, the world still seeks to destroy Jesus but his words give us hope and comfort as well. We know that Jesus has prepared a place for us in the household of God. We know Jesus is the Way and by following him we will find God’s eternal embrace. We know Jesus is the Truth that confounds the world’s wisdom and shows us the way to live abundant lives. We know Jesus is the Life and that even when this mortal life is over we will continue to live eternally in his presence.
When we are lost, Jesus is the Way.
When we are confused, Jesus is the Truth.
When we are facing death, Jesus is the Life.
Amen.