Scripture/Sermon of the Day

John 14:1-14

The way, the truth, and the life

“Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms. 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.”

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.

Reflection/Sermon:

I. From the beginning of his ministry, Jesus reached out to people who were often excluded. He was God embracing the outsiders and people that he called “the least of these.” Our God came to this world as a peasant, and stayed there. He washed people’s feet.

II. And Jesus would reassure people. When the disciples were afraid of arrest and punishment, Jesus told them, “Don’t be afraid.” He said, “I will send you the Holy Spirit as a guide and comfort.” He said, “I am with you always.”

III. In the Sermon on the Mount, he told people not to worry, three times. Don’t worry, he said, because God loves us and knows what we need. Don’t worry — because God gives even more than that. And people said: “Yes — if we are good, God rewards us.”

And Jesus said, “No — everyone gets the reward — ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO DON’T DESERVE IT. Both the good and the evil receive God’s blessings.”

The good people protested! “That’s not fair!!” Jesus said, “No — it’s not fair. It’s grace.”

IV. Jesus said, “God makes his sun rise on the evil and the good.” Everyone receives God’s gifts.

Meditate on this: Jesus feeding the five thousand.

THERE WERE NO REQUIREMENTS TO RECEIVE THE BREAD FROM HEAVEN. No limits based on race or socioeconomic status or behavior. No worthiness requirements for communion. Were you Jewish? Good. Greek, Roman, Persian, pagan-worshipping, atheist, Hindu, Buddhist — good. ALL RECEIVE God’s love. ALL RECEIVE HEAVEN.

V. In the reading today, Jesus says again, “Don’t be troubled. Don’t worry.” Don’t worry about saved or not saved. Don’t worry about heaven — everybody’s invited. There’s a room for every person — even more than that. Just accept your invitation.

We are all saved — we’re all given the ticket to eternal life. But can we accept that?

VI. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

He’s the ticket — the way “in” — right now.

You mean we don’t have to change religions? You mean -- there are rooms for Muslims??? And Buddhists, Hindus, atheists don’t have to convert to Christianity? No they don't — because Jesus said he’s the way. He’s the door, the gate, the ticket. But -- what “way” is that? Love.

Maybe we are like the older brother in The Prodigal Son, who is not ready to accept his father’s love — he’s too proud to accept that he can’t earn it.

Or we can say “Thank you.”

A grateful heart opens the door to our Father’s house, where there’s room for all of us .