Reflection: The Way the Truth, the Life

Jesus has a lot on his mind. A few hours … and he’ll bear the ultimate cost of love. Jesus has comings and goings on his heart. Goodbyes — always tough. Goodbye through death … obviously, tougher. It’s another epiphany, not for the crowd but for his most intimate company:  

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust me; believe that the Father and I are one. And, though I am going away to be with him, I’ll be back to take you with me.*  

Jesus often broached the subject of going away, albeit cryptically. This time it’s in the context of Peter, Thomas and Philip’s questions, Google Maps in hand.  

Where? How? Can we come too? Why not now? Or just show us the Father … 

Sense the high emotion and confusion in the room? With heavy heart and mind, Jesus continues, gentle, straight-forward and consoling: 

I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.*  

And with yearning: 

Father, he prays, in this near and dear company, About these in the world that you’ve chosen to be mine/ours…When I come to you…could they be with me, to see my glory and your love? *  

Prayer:

I’m imagining my name named in your farewell prayer, Jesus — among the precious, chosen and kept — in your glorious company, in the Father’s arms of love and in the dance of the Spirit. Comfort my heart and all who believe as we manoeuvre through the comings and goings of the present-imperfect of today. Let not our hearts be troubled.

Notes:

*paraphrased from John 14:1-3; John 6-7; John 17:11,24