Sermon Snippet for May 7, 2023
Text:  John 14:1-14

In the days leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples are worried and confused.  It’s clear Jesus will be going away, and they want to know where he’s going so they can follow him.  They are thinking literally in terms of compass points and highway mile markers when they ask Jesus to show them the “way”.  Jesus answers them metaphorically, saying that he is not only the Way, but also the Truth, and the Life.  

The Greek word for “way” can mean “road”, “journey”, or “way of life”.  Likewise, the word used for “truth” has several meanings.  As expected, it can mean the opposite of a lie or deception.   It can also be understood to mean “a true event” or a “realized dream or omen”.   Which begs the question:  What if we understand Jesus as the realized or embodied “dream and hope of God”?  

By virtue of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection sin and death no longer have the last word for any of us.  We are no longer strangers and outcasts on the basis of our sin.  We are joined to God and to one another through the irrevocable promises of our baptism into Christ.  WE are freed to live our best life right here and right now – life that’s filled with gratitude toward God, generosity toward each and every one of God’s children, and the joyful care of God’s amazing world!

If Jesus IS the incarnate dream and heart of God, then to follow in his way is to live as people of hope.  Hope that is not just some “pie in the sky in the sweet by and by” kind of hope – but hope that is real in the midst of life’s challenges.  This kind of hopefulness sees and responds to the world as Jesus sees it:  one individual, one human need at a time.  It’s abundant life that flows from the very heart of God.  And it changes EVERYTHING!  Thanks be to God!