Jesus and the disciples were in the upper room. They had just finished eating their supper when Jesus announced that He must leave them, and they would not be able to come with Him – at least for now. Remember, they had given up everything to follow Him. He had been the center of their lives for the prior three years. And now He was going away?
They had no idea whatsoever as to what was going to happen in the next few hours. The idea that He would soon be arrested, by that time tomorrow His body would be laying in a tomb, and in three days He would arise from the dead, was not even a possibility in their minds. Instead, they were still all contemplating what position they would hold on His cabinet when He declared Himself to be the Messiah and established His earthly kingdom.
To make matters even worse, He had also just announced that one of them was going to betray Him. To put it mildly, they were troubled. They couldn’t understand what was happening. None of this looked anything like the way they thought their time with Jesus would end. They had been thinking about positions in the Kingdom – and now Jesus was telling them that He was leaving. Can you relate to their confusion and anxiety?
Have you ever expected Jesus to do one thing, but instead He did another? Have you ever expected Him to answer your prayer one way … but He didn’t? Often when that happens we say, “Jesus didn’t answer my prayer.” But the reality is He did answer – just not the way we thought He would.
That’s where the disciples were. They were expecting Him to do one thing – and now He was telling them that He was going to do something else. He wouldn’t be there with them! Their hopes and dreams were crashing down around them!
Then He spoke these words: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me.”(1) In essence Jesus was saying, “You know Me. You know Me better than most everyone else knows Me. You know I am trustworthy. You know that the Father sent Me. And you know You can trust Him as well. So whatever happens, don’t be troubled. The Father and I have this. And We are worthy of your trust!”
“Besides, where I am going there is more than enough room for each one of you. I am going to make the way for your arrival. I am going to make preparations for you. If I don’t go, you won’t be able to follow. But if I go, then, after everything is ready, I will be able to come and get you when the time is right. And, from then on, we will always be together. You will be where I am. I will be where you are. We will never again be separated. And you know where that is. It’s the Father’s house. And you know the way!” Jesus was speaking words of assurance. He was speaking truth that they could hold onto in the midst of tumultuous times.
This passage is often quoted during funeral services. The loss of a loved one is a tumultuous time. We’re grieving the loss of one who has gone. We are experiencing sorrow, knowing we will not see them again on this side of eternity. We miss them. We ache for them. The certainty that their life brought to ours is gone. We can no longer call upon him or her for advice, for counsel, for encouragement, or for comfort. Our life has just been turned upside down. And in the midst of all that hurt, upheaval and uncertainty, we need an anchor. We need a truth we can hold onto. We need someone or something that we can hold onto with complete confidence and trust. So it was at that moment with the disciples.
At that point, Thomas spoke up. He may have been the one speaking, but i would venture that his question was also on the minds of everyone else in that room. Remember, they were all troubled and uncertain. They were all seeking certainty. They were all seeking truth they could understand, and truth they could hold onto. And i am so glad he asked. Because we too need an answer we can hold onto!
Thomas said, “Lord, we really don’t know where You are going. We have no idea! We’ve never been there. We’ve never seen it. So how can we possibly know the way?
Jesus said, “Thomas, you know the way. You know the way because you know Me – and I am the way! Whatever confusion you experience, whatever trouble you encounter, whatever sorrow or pain you are walking through – I am the way! My way leads through all the mess, all the pain and all the confusion. My way leads to the Father’s house. My way leads to the place where there is no pain and there is no suffering. My way leads to that place where we will forever and always be together”
“Thomas, I am THE Way. I am not a way; I am the only way. Don’t be duped into trying another way, or make the mistake of trying to follow your own way. I am the only way. Only my way leads to the Father’s house. Other ways may seem right in your own human thinking, but those ways will take you where you don’t want to go. Like you said, you’ve never seen the Father’s house. But I have! You don’t know the way there. But I do! And I’m the only one that does. Trust Me, Thomas, I am THE WAY!”
“And Thomas, I am THE TRUTH! I am not a truth. My word is absolute. My word is without error. My truth does not change based upon season or whim. It is not situational. It is not relative. It is absolute! You will never know the truth of any situation, or trial, or circumstance until you hear from Me. I existed before the beginning of time. My truth has been the same from before the beginning, and will remain beyond the end of time. My truth is ageless. My truth is matchless. And my truth is beyond reproach. If you need an answer, I am the One to ask. I am the only One to ask! Trust Me, Thomas, I am THE TRUTH!”
“Lastly, Thomas, I am THE LIFE! In Me, through Me and by Me have all things been created. All life comes from Me. Tomorrow on a cross and in three days from now when I step forth out of that tomb, I will carry the keys to death and hell. I will have conquered death once and for all. I am the Creator of life and the Defeater of death. Through Me – and Me alone – you can experience life – abundant life – life to the max! Only through Me can you escape the chains of sin and death. Only through Me can you experience unfettered life. I am the only One who can make that promise. Trust Me, Thomas, I am THE LIFE!”
And that word of comfort that He spoke to Thomas and everyone else who was gathered in that room, He speaks to us even now. No matter what you’re facing. Hold onto His promise. Wrap yourself in His comfort.
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This post is excerpted from Taking Up The Cross, chapter 35, entitled “A Word of Comfort”. This fifth book in the Lessons Learned In The Wilderness series is available through Amazon in print and for your e-reader. Click HERE for more information on how you can obtain your copy.
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(1) John 14:1-6
Copyright © 2021 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.
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