Sunday Readings: Acts 6.1-7 ; 1 Peter 2.4-9; John 14.1-12
Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way? Jesus answered, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. You do know the Father; you have seen him. Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “All this time I have been with you, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever sees me has seen the Father,” (John 14.5-9).
In John’s gospel those who have conversations with Jesus often learn through misunderstanding. In this way the gospel writer helps us readers learn from the questions and misunderstandings of Jesus’ friends. Their feelings and fears mirror our own.
We benefit from the skeptical Thomas, who insists that Jesus’ friends neither know where Jesus is going nor the way to follow. In response, Jesus explains that he is the way. He embodies and reveals who God is. His friends have seen God in seeing Jesus.
Philip doesn’t get it. He seems unable to fathom what Jesus says to Thomas. Seeing Jesus struggle to explain the very point he has just made ought to comfort teachers when this happens with students as it frequently does. For Philip, Jesus repeats, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”
In his life Jesus reveals love, healing, and forgiveness as God’s way, truth, and life. To believe in Jesus is to let his words and promises take up residence in us. In faith we do Jesus’ works and embrace the people of our globe with his compassion. Countless people embody God’s way, demonstrate the truth of Jesus’ teaching, and live lives that reveal his Spirit dwelling in and among us.
From whom have you learned Jesus’ way, truth, and life? Which, if any, of Jesus’ farewell words affirm or anchor you faith in him risen and present to us?