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 know me, you will know[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who 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 that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Personal Reflection and Discussion
- In verse 6 Jesus states He is the only way/means of salvation – the 6th “I AM” statement in John (see also Jn 3:36; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 2:5-6). Does this make salvation exclusive or inclusive (See Jn 3:16-17; 1 Tim 2:4; Eph 2:8-9; Tit 3:4-5; 1 Jn 2:2; t 12:31-32)? Explain.
- What thoughts do you have as you read verses 12:-14? What questions?
- What does it mean to make a request in Jesus’ name (see Mt 7-8; 1 Jn 5:14-15)?
- COEXIST stickers seem pretty popular. Although it’s possible to coexist here on earth, what makes these stickers problematic?
Prayer
Jesus, some view Christinaity as exclusive and exclusionary because we acknowledge You alone to be the way, the truth and the life. In reality, Christianity is most inclusive because You have come for all. You, and You alone, died for all. So YOU alone are the way, truth, and life for all. One simply needs to believe to receive. Help me better show Your love for all, that all I meet might experience You and Your love through me.
Jesus, I believe the reason we don’t experience more of Your awesome power is because we do not step out in faith more. Dale Oldham writes, “You never tap the resources of God until you attempt the impossible.” Help me in faith attempt more of the seemingly impossible in order that You might display Your awesome power in Your awesome love.
Greek Words of the Day
English Word: way | Transliterated Word: hodos
Apparently a primary word; a road, a progress (the route, act or distance), a mode or means. Spoken by metonymy of Jesus as the way, i.e. the author and medium of access to God and eternal life.
English Word: truth | Transliterated Word: Aletheia (al-ay-thi-a)
Truth, rightly fall, true, truly, what is not concealed but is open.
English Word: life | Transliterated Word: Zoe (dzo-ay)
Life. living, Generally, physical life and existence as opposed to death and nonexistence.
Family Engagement Activity
Today, have a WAY-TRUTH-AND-LIFE TRIATHALON!
Way: Race to a certain spot. Maybe it’s at a park (if it’s open), making sure that the person goes the right way (create wrong ways they can go). Maybe see who can complete a maze first. Or maybe they have to complete something a certain way (have a model of a craft project upstairs and they have to recreate that model downstairs).
Truth: Have them compete in a trivia contest. Whoever gets more questions right, gets points. They can be personal questions or any kind of trivia. Maybe even play a game that contains facts. Make sure questions are objective OR if they need to get energy out, have them run back and forth or through obstacles every time they miss a question.
Life: Have them carry an egg on a spoon to a “nest” you made and then have them sit on it to win OR have them plant a seed and water it before someone else, OR have them try to catch fish with you at a pond (finding life, maybe the worst idea since you might be killing a fish, your call!)
Then talk about how Jesus is the Way, Truth, and the Life!
Going Activities To Consider
Today, do some studying about a faith (other than Christianity) that you don’t know much about. If Jesus is THE WAY, then everything else does not lead to heaven. Do some research, find out what others believe and why. You might want to consider reading about other denominations, as you might find some who are a little grey in this area who call themselves Christian. Consider having coffee OR ZOOM with someone of a different belief and find out more! It might be important to brush up on your beliefs. In that conversation, locate the commonalities, but question the differences.