10.30 Holy Communion, st Peter and St Paul, Langham and 6.00pm Choral Evensong. All Saints Oakham
John 14.6
We have been on an Easter season journey which started with selected resurrection appearances. But, last Sunday, Easter 4, and today seem to go backwards – to an exploration of who Jesus is, and what that means for the way we live our lives. “I am the Good Shepherd” was the theme of Easter 4 and “I am the way, the truth , the life.” is the keynote of Easter 5.
Arguably our gospel reading is best known for “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.” because it is a passage extensively used at funerals.
But we should begin at the beginning, because the opening words of the chapter are important ““Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”
The disciples are afraid and we can understand why when we look at the previous chapter and Jesus’s dialogue at The Last Supper. What is becoming clear to the disciples is:-
Jesus is leaving them.
The crowds are turning against him.
The authorities seek his life.
Jesus is talking about his death.
To cap all Jesus forecasts they will desert him and deny him.
These are the fears of – loss of identity; loss of belonging; loss of family; death. And these are the very fears which we experience, and into which Jesus speaks to us now.
Leon Morris in his commentary on John’s gospel says this.
“We should not overlook the faith involved, both in the utterance and acceptance of these words, spoken as they are on the eve of the crucifixion. I am the way said one who would shortly hang impotent on a cross. I am the truth when the lies of evil people were about to enjoy a spectacular triumph. I am the life when within a matter of hours his corpse would be placed in a tomb.” Yes for the disciples those words “Believe in God; believe also in me.” would have been a challenge
So, Jesus seeks to reassure his disciples. And to do that he describes their final destination. “Eyes on the prize”! It is the house of God. In fact it is more than that. It is the house of my Father, and the house of our Father. This is God saying “mi casa es su casa” – my house is your house. It is home for us. Isn’t that extraordinary hospitality from God our Father!
There is much in this chapter and the next about dwelling and abiding. But what becomes clear is that it’s also about indwelling. “Abide in me as I abide in you.” (John 15:4)says Jesus. It’s about the reality that God/Jesus is the “many dwelling places”. Our destination is to be in communion with the Trinity. And because God is himself the dwelling place – when He says a place is prepared for us, He can deliver. And in the infinite God there are an infinite number of places. No-one need fear homelessness. I liked this quote ”There are two signs you will never see on the door of the Father’s house “Reservations required,” and “No vacancy.””
I think Jesus could have started with the words “I am the destination”.
But the passage is not just about “pie in the sky when we die”. It’s about how do we dwell and live and find our way in the here and now? Which is where the words of the text come in. “I am the way, the truth and the life.” The answer is Jesus. True life both now and in eternity lies in he person of God made man in Jesus Christ.
Shortly after I retired, I joined a walking group, which used to walk in the hills and mountains of N Wales. There were 2 or 3 experienced members of the group who had been exploring that territory for more than 30 years. I never needed a map or a route – these guides were next to me showing me the way. They were revealing the way.
This is what Jesus does. He walks alongside us, in the power of the Holy Spirit, throughout our lives.He carries us if needs be.He reveals for us the way to reach our intended destination – which is, being with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in eternity. But more than that Jesus iS the way. The way of relationship and love which allows us to speak of God as Father. “The way to a meaningful life.” “The “way” is not a set of instructions. It is a path already walked, a life already lived, a death already endured, and a new life already begun.” It is our relationship with Jesus which shows us the way to true life in all its fullness.
What the disciples have missed is the fact that they have actually been on the journey all along, with Jesus who is the Way.
This is a passage about places and spaces. God has provided is with places and spaces not just in creation but in our relationships. Jesus is a place maker. He makes space and place for others to enter. These are valuable commodities, as we live our lives. Valuable commodities as we look to our eternal destiny.
Let me finish with a challenge. We are, as Disciples, invited to provide space for others we meet on the way. ”Part of our task as Christians is to help show each other the way.”
And as I always like to finish with a hymn – this is the one that came to mind
Be thou my guardian and my guide,
and hear me when I call;
let not my slippery footsteps slide,
and hold me lest I fall.