We Do Know the Way
The text this week is John 14: 1-14. This passage sees the disciples showing once again why they are often referred to as the Duh-ciples. Jesus is teaching them about the glory of what God has in store for all those who believe; a house with many dwelling places and a place prepared for each of us. Then Thomas pipes up and ruins the good vibes of this comforting imagery. He asks where Jesus is going and how will we know the way. Jesus must remind them of the all too obvious truth, that He is the way.
The Dominion Line
Jesus points out to the disciples that they do know God because they know Jesus. A stunning claim on one level and further testament to who Jesus says He is. On another level it brings home a crucial point about our relationship to the Father.
There is a line above which God has not revealed Himself. God, above this line, in His domain, is the complete other, the ultimate unknowable. To seek what is above that line is to try to discern the mind of God and that never ends well. There is, however, for us as Christians, a line below which God has revealed Himself, the life death and resurrection of His son Jesus the Christ.
This is what Jesus means when He says that “If you know me, you will know my Father also” (Verse7). He is claiming one in being with the Father, so to know one is to know the other. What we know is the earthly ministry of Jesus, and His life, death, and resurrection. We should acknowledge knowing God through Jesus below this Dominion Line and trust that this word of Jesus’s is true.
Act Accordingly
Jesus finishes this teaching by exhorting His followers to trust and believe in Him as one in being with the Father. Verse 11 is clear, “Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me”. Verse 12 is even more on point for us today “Very truly, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do”. Here is where we can clearly see Jesus giving explicit voice to the whole point of my effort. If we believe, then we will obey.
Praise Be to God
