John 14:1-7 (NRSV)
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Chapter 14"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. Verse 2In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? Verse 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.
Verse 4And you know the way to the place where I am going." Verse 5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Verse 6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Verse 7If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
Devotion
Jesus saw the distressed look in their eyes. His death was imminent. The disciples were forlorn, shaken. Jesus understood. Time to share the rest of the story. Not to worry, Jesus had it handled. He was going ahead to make sure they would be securely lodged and with him. But anxious Thomas, the realist, saw he had no roadmap, no awareness of the destination. Jesus now says something that expands the mind and heart: Don't think geographically. Within my very person are all the answers you need. I myself encompass the full way. You seek total truth. I am the Truth, all Truth. You seek real full Life. I myself am that Life. How could anyone actually be in the presence of the Father? I alone can make that happen because of who I am and the journey I am on. Knowing me, you know the Father.
Prayer
Jesus, we easily become overcome by our fears, doubts, and our small thinking. Free us to see you have it all taken care of. You are far more that even the answers to our deepest questions. We rely on you, for you indeed will bring us to the Father and our eternal home. Amen.