Wednesday 1 May 2024
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (vs 6-7)
Background
Today we take a break from Saint Paul and his letter to the Romans. In some parts of the Christian world today is the feast day of the apostles Saint Phillip and Saint James, companions and disciples of Jesus. Our passage (chosen as it is one of the few that mentions Philip) is from the gospel of Saint John and is part of the ‘farewell speeches’ of Jesus on the night before his arrest, trial and crucifixion. It is immensely rich and often read during funeral services because of its theme of assurance and hope in the face of deep trouble and grief.
At its heart is the theme of ‘abiding’ or ‘dwelling’ – the same theme we met last Sunday in the passage about the vine from John 15. This theme of abiding/dwelling lies behind the picture of ‘my Father’s house’ and its many ‘dwelling places’. Jesus speaks of his relationship with God the Father as a mutual sharing and indwelling, a oneness of love.
It’s within this image of abiding that we read one of the famous ‘I am’ sayings of Jesus: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life”. These crop up regularly throughout John’s Gospel and each time we meet one ("I am the good shepherd" for example in John 10:11) we learn something profound about who Jesus is and what he does for us. Sometimes Christians read this saying as excluding any other way of approaching God. But, in fact, it is a very inclusive vision: everyone – without exception – is able to share in the way, truth and life of Jesus.
To Ponder:
- Think of situations where you have heard this passage or read it. What effect has it had on you?
- How do you respond to the themes of ‘way’, ‘truth’ and ‘life’ as ways of relating to Jesus?
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Richard Clutterbuck
Richard is a supernumerary presbyter, living in Gloucestershire after a ministry that has taken him to Tonga, London, Gloucester and Belfast. He was formerly principal of the West of England Ministerial Training Course and of Edgehill Theological College.