The Fifth Sunday of Easter – Mark S. Winward
Really: Jesus as “The Way, the Truth, and the Life”?
Jesus said, “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.” For many people in the 21st century, putting your faith in Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense. Not only do most people misunderstand what faith is all about, but it often seems like a waste of time. But people are broad-minded nowadays. They often say, “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere,” or “You have your truth and I have my truth.” Of course, everyone is entitled to their own belief. But in the end, we live in a real world, and our personal perception of reality will always be proven either true or untrue. C.S. Lewis wrote, “Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, is of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.” In other words, what we are doing here every Sunday is either a colossal waste of time or the most important thing we will ever do in our lives. The question in the Church is increasingly becoming: “Which faith?”
How We Approach Scripture and Tradition
It seems to me it boils down to how we approach Scripture and the traditions that have shaped our understanding of our faith. First, we can reject the belief part entirely and hold on to our traditions simply because they shape our lives and give them meaning. But what we’re left with is a shell of empty traditions devoid of substance. Ironically, this was Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees – having a rich form but no substance.
The second option is to “pick and choose.” The problem with this a la carte approach is that you are left with a religion of your own making. Christianity, though, is like a great cathedral. Solely by laying stone in tension against stone, an ancient Gothic cathedral can reach extraordinary heights. Few pieces are arbitrary – and although it may look feasible to remove seemingly needless ornamental pieces, the whole structure would come crashing down in reality if you did so. Perhaps the fragmentation and instability we face in the Church today is because we have begun to view the pieces of our faith – each being critical to the structure – as optional.
The third option is by no means the easiest. It involves commitment, perseverance, and hard work – but I believe it is the most honest and satisfying. This is to embrace what Jude 1:3 described as “the faith which was once delivered to the saints.” Revised faith – whether outright rejection or the “pick and choose” approach, by definition, can’t be the same faith as that which was delivered to the saints. While revised faith is constructed by our own efforts, delivered faith is received as a gift from God. While revised faith is shaped by our experience, received faith is shaped by the early Church’s experience and understanding of the risen Christ. And while revised faith is formed amidst doubt, received faith “lives the question.”
The Question
Like Thomas, in today’s gospel, people want to know the Way to God. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you know the Father.” He doesn’t say if you know about Jesus you know the Father; He says if you know Him. In other words, know Jesus and know the Way to God. Know Jesus and know the Truth of God. Know Jesus and know eternal Life. Jesus’ response wasn’t meant to be about having some secret knowledge: it means entering into a relationship with God through Him. It means not just knowing about Jesus, but knowing Him. Living the question means living with Jesus Christ and allowing Him to make a difference in your own life, the life of your family, and your life in the community.
Now, I can stand here all day and tell you all the reasons why faith in Jesus Christ makes sense. I might argue from design and challenge you to think about the miracle of how-you-can-think-at-all. I might point to the disciples who went to their deaths proclaiming the resurrection of Christ. Or I might share some of my own experiences of how Christ has changed my life. But at the end of the day, although you might be a bit closer to believing, nothing is going to magically “do it” for you. Faith is a choice beyond merely being convinced intellectually if it is to have any depth. The real choice is whether to know and be truly known. That’s because faith is a lot like love. It involves risk and being vulnerable – and if it’s real, it will undoubtedly shake up your life. Faith looks so much like love because it’s also a choice to enter into a relationship – to fall in love with a God who is so madly in love with you. Of course, we can choose not to choose – but that in itself is a choice every time we’re confronted with it, including now. But this is hardly a trivial decision. What if this outrageous claim really is true – that He really is the Way, the Truth, and the Life? If it is, by far it’s the most important decision you and I can ever make.
Conclusion
Now I suspect most of you wouldn’t be here unless you’ve already decided to believe – and probably have for a long time. But if that’s where your walk with Christ stops, you’ve only made the first step. Again, it’s a bit like falling in love. When we allow ourselves to fall in love, we decide to build our lives around the other. Love involves three things: First, we share our hopes, fears, and joys. Second, we listen to each other, seeking to please each other. Lastly, we spend time together, enjoying each other’s presence. Without sharing, listening, and being present, any relationship will certainly wither and die. God wants no less than for us to build our lives around Him. He wants a relationship with us – not just knowing about Him, but knowing Him. That involves sharing our hopes, fears, and joys with Him; listening to His guidance and seeking to please Him; and spending time with Him and enjoying His presence.
Jesus’ words present us with a choice: to love – to risk being vulnerable – to risk something which will undoubtedly shake up every aspect of your life. It is the choice to believe, the choice of a relationship, and the choice to truly know Jesus Christ. Amen.