Dear Faith Family,
"And you know the way to where I am going."
(John 14:4)
Those are the words of Jesus to his gathered friends the night before his body would be broken for our sins, and his blood poured out, making way for Life to fill us. Words that, as we discussed on Sunday, seem to come from a place of trust, not the disciples trusting of Jesus, but Jesus' trust of his apprentices.
Admittedly, trusting that Jesus trusts us, that indeed, trusting that he is our source of life and the light of life empowers us to know the Way of life, is not always easy. After all, like Thomas, we know the limits of our knowledge and have doubts about ourselves,
Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?' (John 14:5)
It's a good thing for us that knowing the Way isn't left up to just you. As Jesus would tell his friends, Jesus' going to prepare for us life eternal (Jn. 14:1-3), our end, and the means to the end (Jn. 14:19-21), doesn't leave us orphaned and alone, but with both the "Helper...the Spirit of truth, whom...dwells with you and will be in you" (John 14:16-17) and all those included in that "you."
Why does Jesus trust us? Because he has not left us alone, but given us the,
"...the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom...will teach you all things and bring to your mind remembrance of all that I have said to you." (John 14:26)
"You," who know the way, have the Spirit to remind you of the Way, helping you discover and discern all that is necessary to live life full and forever. I think we know that, even if we have plenty of room to grow in our "walking by the Spirit" (Gal. 5:16).
It's those other "yous" that we, at least we in our individualistic society and faith culture, often neglect. The "you" in Jesus' opening words, as well as all the "yous" that follow in Jesus' farewell discourse, are plural. It is the you of fellow apprentices and pilgrims—those who, alongside you-you, are following the Way in life.
Why does Jesus trust us? Because he leaves us in Gospel Community, walking through life with sisters and brothers who encourage us as we encourage them to hold fast to the truth we know and who we truly are, even when we doubt. The Spirit in you-- in all the yous in life together who know the Way.
So, my friends, You know the way,
Therefore, brothers and sisters...have confidence to enter the holy places
by the blood of Jesus...the new and living way...
through his flesh...draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith...
and...hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering...
And...consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another...all the more... (Hebrews 10:19-25)
Love you, faith family! God bless.