Image from ibhgospel.com
I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
Dear Friend, do you remember learning how to drive? Was it fun? Or, was the scariest thing you've ever experienced? Most guys would say it was the fun-nest thing they ever experienced, as would some gals. Some thought, "This is crazy! I'm too young/little/scared to be driving this monstrous thing!" I learned how to "drive" at about ten. It was a family outing to visit my grandfather on the ranch where he worked. It was south of Kingsville, mid-way between Riviera and Falfurrias. I had to be the gate boy; I got off and opened the gate, waited til the car drove past, then secured the gate. I thought all sorts of terrifying things. "I'm no longer in the safety of the car, a rattlesnake could sneak up on me, as could a raging bull, or a javelina, or, or, or..." I got back in the car and my dad said for me to come around to the other side and take the wheel. It was the fun-nest thing ever! The car was old and it featured a manual transmission affectionately called in those days, "three on the tree, " which meant the shift on the steering column had first, second, and third gears on it, as well as reverse. My dad basically said, "Keep it between the ditches."
As we have learned to drive, besides getting from Point A to Point B, we have to be careful and try not only to stay between the ditches but also to avoid danger with pedestrians or other drivers; getting to our destination involved prayer, caution, and alertness. We've come a long way from simply knowing where we are going to relying on satellites to guide our GPSs to help us on the way. We can no longer, though some still do, say, "Turn over where the rusted out red truck is rusting away, near Aunt Gertrude's house!"
In today's look at Jesus' "I am" statements we find one that speaks of knowing where to do, and how to go. After speaking about His death and about Heaven being under construction, Jesus has this encounter with Thomas, who says he doesn't know where Jesus is going. "How can we know the way?" was Thomas' question. The I Am statement was Jesus' answer: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Through Jesus we know a better way to live and the road that takes us from sin to life to life in abundance, then to life eternal. If we pay attention to Jesus and His word, we know how to act. We know how to treat others. We learn compassion and caring. We put others before ourselves and we seek to love like never before. We truly can be led from a self-serving, selfish existence, to one who models the presence and power of God in our midst.
Jesus' statement also included the fact that He is truth. Jesus is the one man who never lied. He was always honest in His dealings with people. He was purity in motion, guided by God's love and peace; and that is ours as well, just for the asking. Jesus has shared the truth about this life and all its challenges; and He spoke about the life beyond and how those who die in Him will receive eternal life and those who die apart from God will suffer eternally. Jesus never denies anyone entrance into the kingdom who repents of their sin and seeks to live in peace with God and one another. Those set on their evil ways, will get the recompense they deserve. And we cannot blame God for condemning us to hell; we chose it.
Jesus also is life. There is such an awesomeness to a life lived in Jesus. Nellie and I are trying to finish our homework given to us by Jerusalem University to prepare us for our time in the Holy Land. We have been giddy with the sites we have marked on maps and the readings that have told us about the geopolitical situations throughout that region's history. And, we look forward to stepping on the ground on which Jesus walked; touching the waters where He spoke and was baptized; seeing where He suffered and died. A life lived in Jesus is a life of excitement and awe. It is the fulfillment of truth in Jesus' statement about having a childlike faith in God; seeing all things with awe and amazement. Jesus takes us by the hand and leads us out of a mundane existence into the fullness of glory all around us.
Dear one, let Jesus' love for you bless and change you today. Only He and you know your greatest need or fear or weakness; and He can change it all for you. Are you seeking peace? You've found it in Jesus! Are you seeking answers? You can find them in Christ Jesus. Walk with the One who is 'the way, and the truth, and the life.'
PRAYER: Loving Father, may all the above serve as our prayer today. You know the heart of this dear reader, and I pray for their needs, weaknesses, fears, doubts, illnesses, worries, all be found in You. And it is in Christ Jesus that we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
SPRING BREAK: Since we will be out of the country, our devotionals will be on spring break for two weeks or so. I invite you to spend time reading another devotional as well as await the return of ConCafe. May the Lord bless you all during these days is my prayer!
