READ
John 13:36-14:14
CONSIDER
The first day of summer camp can be really tough for kids and parents. I see it every year at Summer Fun at SCBC. Children come to camp with smiles on their faces and excitement in their hearts. However, when the realization that mom and dad aren’t going to be joining camp with them, their smiles and excitement quickly turn to tears and fears.
The above reactions probably aren’t too different from the feelings that the disciples might have had. Jesus had just disclosed to them that one of their own was going to betray him, that Peter would deny him three times, and that he was going to be leaving them very soon. Their realization that Jesus wasn’t going to be with them was turning their hearts from trust to doubt: Where are you going? Why are you going? How can we go on without you? Jesus knew and cared about what was going on in their hearts, so he comforted them: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me…you know the way” (John
14:1, 4).
When Jesus says that “I AM the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6), Jesus is not just saying that we are now granted access to God through him, but that through Jesus we can truly have a trusting and life giving relationship with God.
I’m really excited to worship with you this Sunday and to continue to explore this passage together of what it looks like for us to be followers of the Way.
Pastor Fabian Chiu
PRAY
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Son, Jesus. You are the Way and the Truth and the Life. Through Jesus we know you and trust in you and have life in you. May you continue to help us to know what it looks like to walk in faith as followers of the Way. Jesus, we love you. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
DIVING DEEPER
How would you define these three words: way, truth, and life?
What other Scriptures come to mind?
Look over these passages and summarize how each word helps us understand what it means to follow Jesus.
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- The Way: Acts 18:25-26
- The Truth: John 3:20-21; John 4:23-26
- The Life: John 10:10; John 3:16
In the book of Acts, the title, The Way (Acts 9:2; 19:9), is used more than the title Christian. Early followers of Jesus saw faith primarily as a way of life, a life shaped by the person of Jesus. How does seeing Christianity as The Way help us in our faith journey?
When we holistically understand Jesus as the Way, Truth and Life, how does it help us to follow Him? How can these three words help us invite others to follow Jesus?
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