The Way, May 10, 2020, Quarantine Sermon #4
1 Peter 2:2-10, Acts 7:55-60, John 14:1-14
So, in our Gospel passage for today from John, Jesus speaks some very familiar words – he says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Jesus speaks these words in response to a very direct question from Thomas.
Thomas asks Jesus, “How can we know the way?
I think that is a question people continue to ask, especially in these very uncertain and unprecedented times. “How can we know the way?”
Several images immediately pop to mind for me when I hear the words, “The Way.”
Some of you may recall a Christian movement back in the 1970’s called “The Way.” Out of curiosity, I did a bit of research into it, and to my complete surprise it was actually started by a minister in my hometown of Lima.
It began as a radio program, progressed to a broader movement, and eventually became worldwide. Although it never became mainstream, it still exists today, with its headquarters remaining in New Knoxville, Ohio.
Another image that pops to mind when I hear the words “The Way” is the movie by that same title that came out about ten years ago starring Martin Sheen.
The movie is about the “Camino de Santiago,” a network of routes through France and northern Spain which pilgrims from all over the world come to hike.
Walking the “Camino de Santiago,” which translated means, “The Way of St James” is a spiritual journey which culminates at the shrine of the apostle St James in Northern Spain.
There are probably as many different reasons for walking the way as there are people who walk it. But my guess is that at the root of the journey is a hunger to connect with the sacred.
I know there have been a few people from Dublin Community Church who have walked portions of the Camino and they described it as a very meaningful and spiritual experience.
My point in all this is to say that I think as a people we continue to ask the same question Thomas posed to Jesus over 2000 years ago: “How can we know the way?”
The concept of “the way” is obviously deeply rooted in the entire biblical story. The ancient Israelites sought the way when they were wondering the wilderness in search of the promised land.
In the Gospels, there is Jesus’ journey from Galilee to Jerusalem in which he paves a way for the disciples to follow.
And in the book of Acts, there are multiple references to the early Christian movement, which is referred to as “the way.”
So, back to Thomas’ question of Jesus – “How can we know the way?”
Jesus’ answer to Thomas is actually pretty straightforward. Jesus says to Thomas and the other disciples, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”
And then Jesus explains further saying, “Whoever has seen me, has seen the Father.”
In other words, if we want to know about God, for Christians, God is revealed to us through Jesus. For those in other religions, that revelation may take place in other ways, but it is still the same God.
For Christians, when Jesus says I am the way, he is talking about a way of life. He is using himself as an example of how we should live.
It’s so basic, and yet it can often be so very difficult to follow. Love your neighbor. Share what you have. Offer forgiveness. Welcome the stranger.
The way is a way of love, compassion, and mercy.
My wish for all of us is that our days may be filled with love, compassion and mercy as we continue on our way, now and always.
AMEN