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T h e W a y, t h e T r u t h a n d t h e L i f e
prepared by Barbara Wilson
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‘He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” ’ (from Psalm 91) S O N G “The way, the truth, the life” are words which come together in one key word. Some people have said in the last few days that what kept our nation together during WW2 was LOVE. Bible reading : John 14: 1-14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And 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. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 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’? 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. 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. 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. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it". Thoughts on the bible passage ‘Do not let your heart be troubled.’ Comforting words to all of us today, just as they were when first spoken by Jesus to his disciples, as they gathered together in the upper room for what was to be their last meal together. Jesus first warns them that he will be betrayed by one of their number, then denied by one who is very close to him, and finally delivers the news that soon he will be leaving to go to a place where they cannot follow. Understandably, the disciples are in a state of confusion and disbelief–afraid, bewildered and anxious as they try to process the news. Despite his own impending trials, Jesus reaches out to allay their fears, giving strength and encouragement. As he prepares his friends for the monumental changes they will face in the days ahead, Jesus gives this assurance – they will never be abandoned and will one day be re-united forever. It’s not easy to speak out, to interrupt and ask for clarification – much more comfortable and far less embarrassing to keep quiet rather than admit you are in the dark and do not understand. However, when Jesus states, ‘You know the way’, Thomas finds the courage to admit exactly that. It’s human nature to want to know the destination before starting any journey, to have an idea of how long it will take, to plan a suitable route and Thomas voices these concerns on behalf of all the puzzled disciples, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you’re going, so how can we know the way?’ This simple question receives the most profound response from Jesus –‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life’ Jesus provides no route map, no pointer to the road they are to take - instead he offers a clear directive – his eternal presence. He is the ultimate lodestar, the gateway to his Father’s House, the starting point, the journey and the destination, the truth by which all truth is measured, the spring of water welling up into everlasting life. They are to live as he has lived, making their own decisions, and by word and action bear witness to His love. In His name, great things will continue to be done – we see breakthroughs in science, medicine and technology, witness heroes risking their own lives for others, see countless acts of kindness and generosity. Jesus makes it clear that there won’t be any defined path to travel in life. We are simply tasked with knowing and trusting each day, looking to Jesus as we make our choices, working and walking onward in faith, safe in his presence, secure in his love. A SONG which reflects well the title of today’s theme is ‘I am the Way and the Truth and the Life’ (by Bob Hurd). The music is new to all of us but read these lovely words and bask in their meaning as you listen to the audio track below. A t i m e o f q u i e t m e d i t a t i o n..... Read the words below as if they were your own thoughts... I imagine Jesus sitting with me, wherever I am at this moment, and hear him saying those words to me, ‘Do not let your heart be troubled’. There are many things in my life which are worrying me now; have I the courage to allow these consoling words to touch my heart? I imagine the expression on Jesus face as he looks deep within me (pause). I am invited to trust the God who loves me and who is simply waiting for me to admit my fears and anxieties. I listen as he responds. Those consoling words of Jesus are his gift: with him we have the deepest security in life, knowing that all we need can be found in him. Now I invite you to return and re-read the gospel passage as if that too was said directly to you. Now we offer our prayers for others For the health and well-being of our world, that all who are fearful and anxious may be at peace and free from worry: Lord, hear us - Lord, graciously hear us. For those who are guiding our country at this time, and shaping national policies, that they may make wise decisions: Lord, hear us - Lord graciously hear us. For doctors, nurses and medical researchers, that through their skill and insights many will be restored to health: Lord, hear us - Lord graciously hear us. For the isolated and housebound, that we may be alert to their needs, and care for them in their vulnerability: Lord, hear us - Lord, graciously hear us. We place our faith in you Lord, as we commend ourselves, and all for whom we pray, to your protection Father God, Accept these prayers in the name of your Son, Our Saviour who is indeed the Way, the Truth and the Life. (As we place our trust in Him, you may wish to recall Don Moen’s song ‘God Will make a way’, for He is the Way – the Truth and the Life. Some of the words are in today's song sequence for you to read quietly). We close our worship, as we began, with a SONG This one is from Psalm 91 – an assurance of endless love and protection from ‘...my God, in whom I trust’. ‘On Eagles wings’. The song audio file is below, the words are also on this page. A Blessing In the days to come ....be light, O Lord, to our eyes, music to our ears and contentment to our heart. Be sunlight in our day, food at our table and rest to us in the night. Let us rejoice to be about your business and let us live to your praise and glory, now and for ever. Amen (John Cosin 1594-1672) |
S O N G W O R D S Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of Heav’n to earth come down; Fix in us thy humble dwelling; All thy faithful mercies crown! Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love Thou art; Visit us with Thy salvation, Enter every trembling heart. Finish, then, Thy new creation; Pure and spotless let us be; Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee; Changed from glory into glory, Till in Heav’n we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise. William Williams of Pantycelyn ‘I am the Way,the Truth and the Life’ Chorus I am on the way and the truth and the life; no-one comes to the Father except through me. No-one comes to the Father except through me. Come to him and living stone rejected but chosen and precious in God‘s sight Chorus Be made anew, a temple of the spirit like living stones with Christ the cornerstone Chorus Behold the stone which God has a laid in Zion. Believe in him and you shall not be shamed. Chorus A chosen race, you are a royal priesthood set apart that you might sing God‘s praise. Chorus Chosen, you are a holy nation from darkness called into his wondrous light. Chorus Bob Hurd © OCP Publications God will make a way Where there seems to be no way He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me He will be my guide Hold me closely to His side With love and strength for each new day He will make a way, He will make a way. Don Moen © Copyright 1990 Integrity's Hosanna! Music On Eagles’ wings You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, Who abide in His shadow for life, Say to the Lord, "My Refuge, My Rock in Whom I trust." CHORUS And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand. The snare of the fowler will never capture you, And famine will bring you no fear; Under His Wings your refuge, His faithfulness your shield CHORUS You never need fear the terror of the night, Nor the arrow that flies by day, Though thousands fall about you, Near you it shall not come. CHORUS For to His angels He's given a command, To guard you in all of your ways, Upon their hands they will bear you, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. CHORUS And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand; and hold you in the palm of His Hand. Michael Joncas © 1979, OCP Publications |