God’s Renewing Word of Love
Introduction
John 14:1-14: Today’s reading begins a section in John’s Gospel referred to as the “Farewell Discourse,” in which Jesus gives final instructions to his disciples before he is arrested, tried, and put to death. Jesus promises to prepare a place for all his followers and says that he is the way to God the Father.
Scripture Reading
Jesus the Way to the Father
1“Do not be worried and upset,” Jesus told them. “Believe in God and believe also in me. 2There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so. 3And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am. 4You know the way that leads to the place where I am going.”
5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; so how can we know the way to get there?”
6 Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me. 7Now that you have known me,” he said to them, “you will know my Father also, and from now on you do know him and you have seen him.”
8Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father; that is all we need.”
9Jesus answered, “For a long time I have been with you all; yet you do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. Why, then, do you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10Do you not believe, Philip, that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I have spoken to you,” Jesus said to his disciples, “do not come from me. The Father, who remains in me, does his own work. 11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. If not, believe because of the things I do. 12I am telling you the truth: those who believe in me will do what I do—yes, they will do even greater things, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father’s glory will be shown through the Son. 14If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.
Today’s Key Verse: John 14:6
Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.”
Reflect
Today’s reading includes one of the “I am” passages (verse 6) in John’s Gospel. In addition to verse 6, there are other “I Am” passages in John’s Gospel (6:35, 48, 51; 8:12; 9:5; 10:7, 9, 11, 14; 11:25; 15:1, 5), all of which are self-revelations indicating Jesus’s connection to the Divine Name (see Exodus 3:14) and identifying him as the one who has come to make God known. Reflect on the words “way, truth, and life.” What do they convey to you about your relationship with Jesus?
Pray
Holy Jesus, you are the way, the truth, and the life. I trust in all your promises, knowing that one day I will dwell with you in the place you have prepared for me. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
John 14:15-31: Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit.