Over the years, I have often heard people quote John 14:6 where Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Usually, people use the quote to emphasize that Jesus’ teachings are unique and different from other faiths. What I rarely hear is how people connect the terms “way”, “truth” and “life.” If Jesus is the way, then his life demonstrates a path for us to follow if we want to grow into an understanding of the deepest truths. We do not just receive instant revelation in how to love our enemies, how to process disappointment, and how to exercise patience and grace in all circumstances. Jesus shows us a life of practices. If we enact these these practices, then over a span of time many spiritual truths with become clear to us. Spiritual experience serves as our teacher. Perhaps we need to spend more time understanding what Jesus means by the way so that we can know His truth and His life.
Without a doubt, the way of Jesus includes adventure and surprise. This Sunday, November 21, is the last Sunday of the liturgical year. It is Christ the King Sunday. It is ironic that we celebrate the reign of Christ as we read John 18: 33-37. This passage comes just before Jesus’ death sentence, torture, and crucifixion. Jesus says that His kingdom is not of this world, and I believe that our lifetime of discipleship is how Jesus teaches us what this means. It seems we learn the truth of Jesus only by living the way of Jesus.Please pray for me as I work on a message entitled “Belonging To The Truth.”
Friends, every week at Grace I see so many ways that God is blessing people on our campus and through members of this congregation. Thank you so much for the ways you make ministry possible here through your support, whether financially or through your acts of service. As we think about Thanksgiving, I thank God for all of you and this community.
Will you commit to attend worship this week? Will you invite friends? Please take the time to tell people why you attend Grace and challenge them to “come and see.” The best advertising is your testimony!
I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Steve Hart