“The Way”

Worthy is the Lamb, the Darling of Heaven crucified, worthy is the Lamb, crown you with many crowns, seated on the throne.

”Close your eyes and let the visual images I use to transmit my message of hope and salvation to you, play out before you. A lamb – the combination of helplessness, of true humility, apparently unable to fend for itself. Yet given the highest honour – the throne of the world, the ultimate ruler and King. That is how my nature is meant to unfold to you. Embrace it in your heart; the picture of a lamb, not just any lamb, a Lamb so precious that He is known as the “Darling of Heaven”, being mistreated and killed by the most brutal means, for a purpose – to take the Father‘s wrath on Himself so that you all may go free – what a Saviour – deserving all your worship – worthy indeed is the Lamb to receive many crowns.”

Now back to John’s gospel. Just a few verses as they are so rich in meaning, ch 14:1-7. Before the members of the early church became known as Christians they called themselves “The Way”. Each one was part of this exciting new movement which was focused on one main purpose. They had discovered the true “Way” and wanted to reflect that to the world. Where did they get that idea? I suppose the whole of Jesus’s teaching would have reflected that, but the actual passage where this title arises is the one we read today.

Jesus has been trying to get His disciples to understand that He was going to leave them soon, meaning His approaching sacrifice on the cross. It must have been most puzzling to them as on the one hand He said He was leaving them and on the other that He was not really going away. Vs 36 must have been really difficult for them. “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later” What on earth was He talking about?

This is where the impetuous Peter puts his foot in it as usual, insisting nothing would stop him from following Jesus! Please don’t be too hard on him. Imagine their confusion. He was the Messiah, coming to rescue Israel and now He is “going away”without apparently having accomplished anything.

So in Ch 14 Jesus tries to introduce them again to the difference between this world and the Spirit world which no-one can see. In reality, what Jesus says here is mind-boggling. This is not your ultimate abode. This world is only temporary, the place He was going to is permanent, and guess what, Jesus has gone ahead to sort things out for them and for all of us, so that we will not only get there but be most welcomed, with our own place specially prepared for us.

It is not coincidental that this passage is recited at many funerals. It is one of the most encouraging passages in the bible. Unfortunately we have all heard it recited off pat so often that we are often no longer struck by this tremendous message. Stop and let that thought sink in to your inner heart.

But now we come to the key to this passage. Can you see what it is? Thomas leads us to it. “We don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the Way? Then comes the favourite passage of every true believer: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through Me”.

Christians are often accused of being exclusive. This passage is exclusive! There is no other way, if you are to believe the bible. It has become fashionable to suggest that there are many ways to heaven depending on what faith you follow, but this verse gives that the lie. Our way is exclusive and our life style should show how different we are. However we should not use this exclusivity to turn inward and show our backs to the world. Our faith is ultimately invitational and we should at all times have our arms wide open to welcome the world like Jesus’s were on the cross, but not at the expense of our belief!

The early Christians understood this clearly. Perhaps that is one reason the early church grew at such a phenomenal rate. They had the message and lived the lifestyle. Loving Jesus first and their neighbours like themselves. Is that how you picture your lifestyle to be? If someone had to describe you would they put that first?

Friends, as we approach Easter, we are going to hear several deep truths, maybe repeated in various ways. Do not let that interfere with the awe you should be feeling to be part of this, most exciting, exclusive Way. Be ready to share it with whosoever the Lord brings across your path. God bless till next week.