What is your response when facing troubling news? We may lose our perspective and become overwhelmed with doubt and discouragement. Jesus had told His disciples that He would be leaving them and that one of them would betray Him. How did Jesus encourage His disciples when they encountered that discouraging news? Although Jesus knew He would be going to the cross, His focus was on bringing His disciples a hopeful perspective:

Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. (John 14:1)

The word troubled conveys the idea of being highly agitated. Since they believed in God, they were to believe in Him. He then revealed to them a promising future:

In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be. (John 14:2-3)

These verses reveal the God’s concern for His people. God has many dwelling places and He is not wishing that any should perish, but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus then challenged them to have an eternal perspective:

And you know the way where I am going. (John 14:4)

There are a number of ways that people seek. The writer of Proverbs declared,

There is a way which seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12)

Thomas, most likely speaking for all the disciples, asked for clarification:

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way?” (John 14:5)

I am thankful for Thomas’ question, for Jesus gave this amazing response:

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)

Jesus’ response was emphatic. In contrast to many of the false ways, Jesus is the true way. He declared that He is also the reliable way since He is the embodiment of truth. Earlier in this Gospel, John described Jesus as being filled with grace and truth:

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

A great irony occurred when Pilate was standing before Jesus, who is truth incarnate, and asked, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). Finally, Jesus described Himself as life. Jesus provides for us not only eternal life, but an abundant life right now:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

Are you experiencing the abundant life? Don’t be led astray. Jesus declared that He is the way to the Father.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

Follow me on twitter:  rickhiggins5