"How Can We Know the Way?"
a condensed version of the sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Sunday, April 20, 2008 at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Somonauk, Illinois.

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• Jacob was an old man. He had led his family – 12 sons – the 12 tribes of Israel -- and their families – for many years. It was time to say goodbye.
• Moses was an old man. He had led the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. And it was time to say goodbye.
• Joshua was an old man. He had led the Israelites as the entered the promised land. And it was time to say goodbye.
• David was an old man. He was the King of Israel for 40 years. It was time to say goodbye.

Each of these well-known leaders of the Bible did something before they died. They gave a farewell speech.

• Jacob’s speech is in Genesis chapter 49. He scolded or blessed each of his sons and gave them last bits of fatherly advice. His last words? Genesis 49:29- "Bury me with my ancestors."

• Moses’ speech covers the entire book of Deuteronomy. In his farewell discourse, he called on the Israelites to obey God’s commandments. He reminded them of what God had done for them. He also called for them to pass on what they had learned to each new generation. Moses’ last words? Deuteronomy 33:29a "How blessed you are, O Israel! Who else is like you, a people saved by the LORD?"

• Joshua gathered the people before he died and spent time scolding and blessing the different tribes of Israel. He gave them instructions about dividing up the land and he called on them to serve God. I love this part: Joshua 24:14-16 "Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua’s last words? After he wrote down everything he had to say to the people, he placed a stone under an oak tree and said this: Joshua 24:27. "See, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the LORD that he spoke to us; therefore it shall be a witness against you, if you deal falsely with your God." However, the words he gave to the people just before placing the stone are, I think, better last words: Joshua 24:23 "Destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel."

• David gathered the people and gave a similar speech – blessing and scolding those gathered, reminding them of what had come before and giving them encouragement in what would come after him. He told his son, Solomon, to rule well and he called the people to serve Solomon with loyalty and patience. Then he asked for all to continue to follow God. Listen to this blessing: 1 Chronicles 29:18 "O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you." David’s last words as King? 1 Chronicles 29:20 "Bless the LORD your God." (1 Kings 2:8-9 records other last words of David – said after Solomon was King and David was about to die.) "And remember Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim. He cursed me with a terrible curse as I was fleeing to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, I swore by the LORD that I would not kill him. But that oath does not make him innocent. You are a wise man, and you will know how to arrange a bloody death for him."

Of course, those words weren’t part of the David’s farewell speech . . .

The great ones of the Bible have their long and famous farewell speeches. In the book of John, Jesus has one too. Our reading today from John 14:1-14 is right in the middle of it. Jesus’ farewell discourse, like the ones in the Old Testament, follows a similar pattern that includes:

• Gathering the followers
• The "I am about to die" words
• A plea for the followers to remember what they’ve learned
• Scolding and blessings
• Instructions for the future
• Words of comfort
• Last words

We’ve only recently celebrated Easter, but today’s Bible reading takes us back to just before. In John 13:31, just after Judas left the room, Jesus began his farewell speech. He reminded the disciples that he was going to die and plead with them to remember what they’d learned and how to live out Jesus’ ministry in the world. He gave his blessings to them and told them to be ready for what was to come. He comforted them by telling them that even though difficult times were ahead, there would be joy in the future. And then he prayed for his disciples. Listen to these beautiful words: John 17:20-21a: "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one."

Over the next few weeks we’ll be talking more about some of Jesus words in his farewell to his disciples. They are words of instruction and comfort given to a close group of believers. They are words meant to encourage followers. Unfortunately, even though the themes of Jesus farewell are inclusivity, comfort, unity and love, we’ve often taken a few of the words from this morning’s reading to share exclusivity, fear, division and even hate.

What are we to do with John 14:6? "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

I’ve heard Bible scholars with all different kinds of opinions on this one.

Should we simply throw it out and say, "Jesus didn’t really say that – those words were put into his mouth" or

Should we say, "The whole question of salvation is answered in that single statement—Jesus said 'You have to go through me – otherwise you’ve got no chance of heaven.'"

Or is it something more like, "Jesus was talking to a small group of people and these words are part of a farewell speech to his closest followers. They aren’t meant to be taken as universal truth."

• If we take the first statement, then what’s to keep us from doing that with any other uncomfortable statement of Jesus?
• If we take the second, then what does "except through me" really mean? Does it require an action on a person’s part or has Jesus opened the way for everyone – no action required?
• If we take the third one, then how do we decide which parts of the speech are universal and which ones are exclusive to a smaller group?

The Biblical scholar debate will rage on for longer than any of us will live. Here’s what I think.

Jesus was speaking words of encouragement to his followers. Thomas asked him how they would know the way after Jesus died. ("What are we going to do without you?")

Jesus responded with words of comfort – "Don’t worry – I’m the way and the truth and the life. I will guide you to where you are going."

Jesus wasn’t engaging in a scholarly debate about the validity of a person’s religion. He wasn’t telling Thomas and the rest of the disciples to cut down and belittle someone’s belief system. He wasn’t telling Thomas and the rest of the disciples to create a tract to hand out to people to scare them into following Jesus for ‘heaven insurance.’

Jesus was reassuring the disciples. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. . . I will come again and where I am you will be . . . Jesus wanted them to know that he would never leave them abandoned and alone.

"No one comes to the Father except through me."

OK – It’s all through Jesus: In the context of comfort and encouragement for a close group of followers. It’s all through Jesus

• Not through a tract
• Not through a prayer with the ‘right’ words
• Not by any works or good deeds we do – but by God’s mercy.

Jesus gets it done. He’s the way, the truth, the life, the door, the gate, the good shepherd, the bread of life, the light of the world, the resurrection, the vine – the savior of the whole world.

How does that work – Jesus getting it done for us -- exactly? I don’t know. I trust that Jesus knows and that Jesus is getting it done – he said it. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Words of encouragement and challenge for today:

Follow Jesus. Share the love of Jesus with all you meet. Don’t try to scare anyone or power anyone into following Jesus the way you do. Tell your story of faith – where you’ve been and where you are; what gives you comfort and where you have doubt. Be real. Be genuine. Be authentic. Invite people to experience Jesus’ love. And remember Jesus’ two rules of loving God and each other.

And let Jesus continue doing what he does: Getting it done and – responding with reassurance to the question "How can we know the way?"

Close with prayer.

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