St John 14: 1 – 14
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’
Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
Reflection
Despite having a degree in geography, and Google Maps on my phone, I am quite good at getting lost – and it can induce panic when you don’t know which way to go.
In a world of fake news and social media, I often struggle to know who to listen to and believe. It’s unsettling when you can’t easily separate truth from lies.
In our consumerist culture, bombarded with adverts, it’s hard to distinguish which choices, products, or experiences will really give life. It’s easy to be overwhelmed and believe the advertisers’ hype.
As Christians, we can sometimes get lost – or think we’ve got lost. I have often wondered: am I where Jesus wants me? Am I doing what Jesus wants me to do? Have I misheard and gone to the wrong address? We can struggle to know what is true, and be led astray by the voices that whisper, “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1). We can look in all the wrong places for “life in all its fullness” (John 10:10).
Jesus prepared to go to the Cross knowing his disciples would be troubled. But Jesus is the answer to their troubles – and to ours. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, for he is not merely a human teacher, prophet, or miracle worker. Jesus is the word made flesh, the image of the invisible God. Jesus is not just a ‘chip off the old block’ – he is the old block! So as we believe in the Father, so we are called to believe in Jesus – to trust him with all that we are. And from believing, we are called to action: to do the works that Jesus did, and more! To do even “greater works” than turning water into wine, feeding the 5000, healing the sick and raising the dead. How is this possible? Because the Father is ready to hear our prayers and to work through us, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
when I am lost, show me the way.
When I am confused and doubtful, speak to me your truth.
When I am searching for life, be my life – life in all its fullness.
Give me eyes to see you,
ears to hear you,
an open mind to perceive you,
a soft heart to love you,
and hard feet to go and to serve wherever you may lead.
To the glory of the Father,
Amen