Jesus' words in today’s text are often abused by modern-day Christians and
churches.
Some Christians claim that Jesus’ words about no one coming to the Father except through him mean that the only way someone can experience eternal salvation (whatever they might
mean by that) is by verbally declaring that Jesus is Lord. This line of thinking has been used to exclude whole groups of people and religions from God's salvation. But this is not the picture of God’s salvation I get by looking at Jesus’ life, words and ministry.
In this passage, Jesus addresses a particular question from Thomas. How do we go wherever Jesus is going? Jesus responds by saying he is the way, the truth
and the life. If Thomas wants to go where Jesus is going, he must continue following Jesus. Perhaps, to live eternally with Christ in God’s home is to seek the way, the truth and the life of Jesus right now.
Anyone fighting injustice and caring for widows, orphans and the poor, regardless of their belief in Jesus as Lord, is following the way of Jesus. Anyone who treats others kindly and lovingly, honouring God's sacred image within them, is following the truth of Jesus. Anyone experiencing the joyful abundance of life that God offers is following the life of Jesus.
We have unfortunately limited our response to God’s offer of salvation by merely saying a few well-constructed words and declaring that Jesus is Lord (even if our actions don’t reveal that we truly believe
that). But what if Jesus is inviting us into a fuller, more rewarding salvation of experiencing God’s way, truth and life, both now and always?
Do you ever wonder about how to best follow in Jesus’
footsteps?
What does it mean to you that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life?
If you lived in a way that honoured that belief, in what way would your life look different?
Reflections by Joe Taylor
