The Way to the Father - Friday 12th May 06
John 14:1-6 (GNB)
1 "Do not be worried and upset," Jesus told them. "Believe in God and believe also in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father's house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so. 3 And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am. 4 You know the way that leads to the place where I am going."
5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; so how can we know the way to get there?"
6 Jesus answered him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.
Explore the Father/Son relationship further, Jesus urges us. Relationships are endlessly satisfying, wonderfully rich, and eternal in nature. In my Father’s house! How wonderful! Isn’t it great to be in a house, a home, where we are there not just as guests but as intimate friends – and in the many rooms: others like me!
Thomas wanted it. It sounded great. Never had he (or indeed anyone!) heard of such a place. But Jesus assured them he had come to show them the way – and only he could do it! People have a conception of ‘God’, may worship someone they call God. But no-one of any other religion, can see this relationship as Abba – no-one can enter the Father/Son relationship but through Jesus. Maybe they can go to ‘God’, but, as Jesus says in v.6, they cannot go to God as Father. We recognise as Christians that God knows all humankind and will judge according to their knowledge – but to enjoy that intimacy of parenthood, that relationship of mutual love, is given only to those who have gone to the Father through Jesus.
So respect those of other faiths, maybe as those who do not recognise their kin. Many today do not know their fathers in this life. It could be that in the hereafter they may be surprised what they discover, and whom they meet. And so may we!
A thought: Love the relationship you are in – with the Father. | 