I Am the Way, Truth, and the Life John 14:1-12 9/20/15 Ken VandenHoek

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1 Can you believe that Donald Trump is leading the pack in the republican race for the white house?! If I had told you a year ago that in 2015 Donald Trump would be the republican front runner for the presidential nomination I think you would have laughed in my face. And here he is, one of the rudest, most offensive, sexist, politically incorrect characters of our day. I am not sure what that says about our society. It truly baffles me, Donald Trump is not afraid to speak his mind, even when what he is thinking is wrong, he confidently, unapologetically and fearlessly says it anyway and according to the polls, people are attracted to that. Jesus spoke his mind and what he said was deemed inappropriate by the spiritual and political figures of his day. Jesus message was so counter-cultural it landed him on a cross. However we know that He spoke truth. And the truth he spoke is the same message that you and I must be bold enough to proclaim today. We must do so even if is deemed by some to be radically exclusive and politically incorrect. Turn in your Bibles to. The setting is the upper room on the last night of Jesus life. Jesus is talking to his disciples, men who by now were confused by the events of the evening. Earlier Jesus had washed their feet (normally relegated to a servant) and during the meal Jesus had announced that he would be betrayed by someone of their tight knit group. Moments later Judas slithered away because Jesus had called him out as the betrayer). Even more confusing Jesus declared that their most outspoken leader, Peter, would deny Him three times before a roosters crow announces a new dawn. It is to this roller coaster of emotional uncertainty that Jesus speaks these words, (READ) 14 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. Trust in me also. 2 There are many rooms in my Father s house. If this were not true, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and do that, I will come back. And I will take you to be with me. Then you will also be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going. 5 Thomas said to him, Lord, we don t know where you are going. So how can we know the way? 6 Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father also. From now on, you do know him. And you have seen him. 8 Philip said, Lord, show us the Father. That will be enough for us. 9 Jesus answered, Don t you know me, Philip? I have been among you such a long time! Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. So how can you say, Show us the Father? 10 Don t you believe that I am in the Father? Don t you believe that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. The Father lives in me. He is the One who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say I am in the Father. Also believe that the Father is in me. Or at least believe what the miracles show about me. 12 What I m about to tell you is true. Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. In fact, he will do even greater things. That is because I am going to the Father. Jesus Is the Way to the Father In the midst of the disciples emotional roller coaster ride, Jesus requested that they trust Him. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. Trust in me also. Or a paraphrase might be Don t give up hope! You can trust me even as you have faith in God (John 14:1). Still heavy on their hearts are the words Jesus had spoken earlier of desertion, betrayal and crucifixion. How can trust be built on that? Think of the audacity of that statement? If what Jesus is telling His disciples happens, how can they trust Him if He s dead? It s important to note Jesus does not ask His disciples to have faith in the memory of a dead man. Rather he urges them to look beyond their present difficulty and to rest confidently within the assurance of what is to come. In the midst of these overwhelming circumstances Jesus tells His disciples to trust Him. They could not comprehend what it all meant or what it will mean for them personally. It was a surreal time, and yet it all happened just as Jesus said it would. Look again at verses 2-4: 2 In my Father s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going." 1

2 Here Jesus draws a word picture for His disciples of a future reality that surpasses their current difficulty. You can trust me because I m not going to be defeated; I will be with the Father. As Yogi Berra the great philosopher and master of redundancy, once said. It ain t over till it s over. But Jesus is saying it may seem like it s over but really we ve just begun. To anchor that, Jesus gave His disciples four specific certainties to hold onto in the midst of their present confusing circumstances: 1. My Father has an eternal dwelling place. The Greek word translated rooms or mansions comes from the verb that means abide or remain. 2. I am going there to be with the Father in heaven making the final preparations for you (us). 3. And further I will return to bring you home to the eternal dwelling place I have prepared. 4. Men: may I remind you that by now you too know the way to the Father s house. It s no secret. I have given you the details in advance. Now trust me. After Jesus has thoroughly explained the events that are about to happen to him and where he is going, Thomas interrupts and says, Excuse me, but I don t get it Jesus, I don t think we do know the way! Jesus responds to Thomas with this bold declaration I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father also. From now on, you do know him. And you have seen him. Jesus is the Truth Upon Whom You Can Build Your Life There s no equivocation here! Jesus in bold terms said I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. He leaves no room for argument. He leaves no room for doubt. Jesus says I Am the way not the more inclusive I am a way. That goes against the accepted norm in our supposed tolerant society today doesn't it? Why is that? Because no matter what direction we turn today we are impressed with the need to be more inclusive/tolerant in our speech and actions. And this statement isn t! For us the use of inclusive language has changed the way we communicate, we are told to watch for offensive stereotypes and banish forever our harmful prejudices. We must now say physically-challenged instead of handicapped, Mentally challenged instead of retarded and undocumented resident in place of illegal alien. And by all means please avoid Dutch treat because it implies that my ancestors from Holland are tightwads. And now the NFL, Washington Redskins, has become a team name that according to the chairman of the FCC is offensive and derogatory. Perhaps the NHL New Jersey, Red Devils, or the NFL New Orleans Saints had best be prepared because our watch keepers of toleration will soon be coming after you too! Daily the list is growing longer with no end in sight. Political Correctness is the name of the game. Tolerance has become front for the new intolerance. I think most kids in educational system today would agree with this statement. "All views have equal merit and none should be considered better than another." If you think about it that s hog wash! If all views have equal merit, then the view that Christians have a better view on Jesus than Jews is just as true as the idea that Jews have a better view on Jesus than Christians. But this is hopelessly contradictory. If this statement is what tolerance amounts to, then no one can be tolerant because tolerance turns out to be nothing more than gibberish. For sure, we Christians are to respect people of other faiths, Jesus would expect no less of us. In fact we are to affirm that everyone has a right to believe what they want. Isn t that what loving your neighbor is all about? Isn t that what the 2nd amendment is all about? However, if today we proclaim Jesus is the way truth and the life we are labeled as intolerant. Guess what, you are and you may just have to accept the fact that you are intolerant because this is where Christians step into the midst of controversy. Christians in good conscious cannot state that we view every religion as equally valid and true. And because of that we are accused of being narrow-minded, bigoted and intolerant. How dare we say that the only true way to God is through Jesus Christ? But dare we must, not because we want to appear as elitist but because that is the truth as it is presented in the Bible. 2

3 In the book MADE IN HIS PRESENCE by Allistar Begg, he wrote, Christians are often exhorted by detractors to give up our exclusive claims and be humble enough to admit the validity of all the other roads. To which we must reply, Truth is not ultimately a matter of pride or humility; it is a matter of fact. I am the way, the truth and the life! Jesus made it very clear to his disciples that He is the only way to the Father and not one among many ways. If you think that s tough to swallow consider the rest of the verse. Jesus also said no one comes to the Father but by me. The exclusive nature of this claim can only be understood when we clarify it in the context of scripture: Man [or humankind which is more PC] has fallen short of God s Requirements of perfect obedience and Holiness; Romans 3:23 for all [all being gender inclusive] have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Man s only hope is either for God to abdicate justice (which His holiness makes impossible) or for someone to take our punishment on themselves while transferring their righteousness to us. Romans 5:8; But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The only man who didn t have to die for His own sin (who lived perfectly) was Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; God has reconciled the world to himself in Christ, not counting men s sins against them. For God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Jesus is the only one qualified to die for another. Acts 4:12; Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Because Jesus is God incarnate His life is so valuable that it can be a substitute for all mankind. John 3:16; 16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. So the only hope of going to the Father s House is a narrow but abundantly gracious and sufficient road. God s Word clearly shows the false premises of other religions. Again I quote Allistar Begg: The idea that there are really no substantive differences between religions needs to be held up to careful scrutiny and declared fraudulent. For example, Islam says that Jesus was not crucified. Christianity says he was. ONLY ONE OF US CAN BE RIGHT. Judaism says Jesus was not the Messiah. Christianity says he was. ONLY ONE OF US CAN BE RIGHT. Hinduism says God has often been incarnate. Christianity says God was incarnate only in Jesus. WE CANNOT BOTH BE RIGHT. Buddhism says that the world s mysteries will end when we do what is right. Christianity says we cannot do what is right. The world s mysteries will end when we believe what is right. So how do you communicate in a society filled with intolerant people? Greg Koukl, a member of the Stand to Reason organization says this; whenever you re charged with intolerance, always ask for a definition, then point out the contradiction built in to this new view." He goes on to say Most of what passes for tolerance today is intellectual cowardice, a fear of intelligent engagement. Those who brandish the word intolerant are unwilling to be challenged by other views, to grapple with contrary opinions, or even to consider them. It s easier to hurl an insult you intolerant bigot than to confront the idea and either refute it or be changed by it. In the modern era, tolerance has become intolerance. As representatives for Christ, however, we choose the more courageous path. In Paul s words, We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God [2 Corinthians 10:5]. In a gracious and artful way, we accurately speak the truth, and then trust God to transform minds. Jesus is the (our) Life So how do you speak in an artful and thoughtful way to transform minds? For one our response to the charge of being intolerant of those who s faith or lack of faith is different than ours is to respond to that charge with a sensible rebuttal 3

4 about the One who says he is the way, truth and life. You need not be a seminarian to speak powerfully to the truth about Jesus claims the He alone is the way to the Father. Sometimes a simple answer is more powerful than a full blown apologetic. For example, the Bible tells us that God is holy and pure. Furthermore, Jesus, according to scripture, was the only sinless man to ever live. He was the only man who didn t have a debt that needed to be paid to God. However, the same isn't true for us. Every one of us here this morning had at one time been over our heads in debt. That is the debt of sin we carried until we gave our hearts and lives to Jesus. Jesus traded His life for ours. He paid our debt for us. Because He is the Son of God, His life had sufficient value to cover the sin of everyone who would put their trust in Him. I know this is hard for most people to fathom and it flies in the face of our perceived intolerance of others and granted you have right to ask, How do you know it is true? The answer is simple: check your calendar and you will find that every year there is set aside one day for what we call Easter. Jesus came back from the dead. He appeared to hundreds at various times. He told the disciples that those who embrace Him, rely on Him, and follow Him, will also live even though they die. From death to life is what Jesus was. Study the life of Jesus and you will find that he gives us a foundation to build on. He explains to us what the absolutes, the anchors, the non-negotiables are in life. In a world that is constantly tossed to and fro by everything imaginable, Jesus shows us how to stand firm. So how do we apply what we have just heard? First, we must understand that knowing the truth should not make us view others with condescension. We are not going to Heaven because of our goodness, but because of His grace! We are humble recipients of a tremendous gift. We must remember that people are not to be discounted because they do not believe as we do. They are lost and we need to help them find the way. Our response in an ever increasingly hostile society must be one of patience, love and compassion. Our trusting Christ as the only way to eternal life is no excuse for arrogance, it is no justification for indifference or hostility toward others. Second, are you practicing (or listening to) what you preach? Christians have a credibility problem. We tell everyone that Jesus is the only way to the Father s House. We explain that He is the one who gives us the truth we can build our lives on and that He is the Life we have always longed for. This is all well and good but too often we disrespect Him in how we live out our lives! Let me state it this way. Ask yourself if I truly believe Jesus is the way, truth and the life then how would I handle stress differently, how would I handle fear differently, how would I use my time differently, how would I pursue my amusements differently, how would I spend my money differently, how would I treat others differently, how would I change my life? If you want to find your way to the Father s house you have to travel the course Jesus laid out for you. Other roads may look attractive but you find them to dead ends. Some roads may seem like short-cuts but there is only one road that leads to where you want to go and that s Jesus. You certainly have a right to disagree with me this me. Our country guarantees your freedom to choose and I support that right. I m thankful we do not have a national religion that all must adhere too. You can be thankful for that as well. But please don t expect me to say that your alternate choices can lead you to the same destination. I can t say that. In my understanding of scripture there is only one way and I cannot accept that all roads eventually lead to heaven. Matthew 7:13-14 says; 13 Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. I know such a statement is not politically correct and it s seemingly intolerant. And perhaps some will find what 4

5 I ve said to be offensive. But I will not, I cannot turn from the truth to satisfy the words smiths of intolerance. And neither should you. So on his last night Jesus summoned his disciples to look beyond the immediate and to catch a glimpse of the eternal. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. Trust in me also. That s the same assurance Jesus also wants us to have. He desires that you and I have the same confident assurance that He, Jesus, will see us through any difficulty. And because Jesus is trustworthy we should not be overcome be our present or future circumstances knowing this world is not our home but as the old gospel song says, I am just passing through. Our faith is based on the solid reality of scripture! Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is being SURE of what we hope for and CERTAIN of what we do not see. (NIV) So then the solid reality of heaven is based upon the word God. Faith is not wishful thinking nor is it a denial of reality. Faith sees a greater reality that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. You may call me intolerant and that is OK but I hope you will choose instead to call me a Brother in Christ. 5