{"id":1112,"date":"2023-05-09T07:08:57","date_gmt":"2023-05-09T14:08:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/?p=1112"},"modified":"2023-05-09T07:08:57","modified_gmt":"2023-05-09T14:08:57","slug":"this-is-the-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/?p=1112","title":{"rendered":"This Is the Way"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(John 14:1-11)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you\u2019re not a Star Wars nerd, the popularity of one of its spinoffs, The Mandalorian, <\/em>has already cemented its catchphrase into pop culture: This is the way.<\/em> It\u2019s a sort of catch-all code of honor among Mandalorians that is recited as if it were a religious rite, affirming an unquestioned devotion to the Mandalorian way of things. Is the mission too difficult? Is the request at odds with some other code of ethics? Does certain behavior seem unusual to those on the outside looking in? None of that matters. \u201cThis is the way,\u201d says all that needs to be said and puts an end to any questioning or doubting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it might work for a show, such a message is about as at odds with our current culture\u2019s outlook as any message could be. In a society that celebrates the permission of each individual to pursue whatever personalized path promises happiness at any cost, about the only thing we aren\u2019t <\/em>allowed to dictate to anyone is the sentiment that there is only one right way. It is unacceptable to express the opinion that someone else has chosen the wrong way and that \u201cthis is the [right] way.\u201d While such a phrase is a code of honor on a television show, our society says it\u2019s about the greatest blasphemy one can commit! Instead, we celebrate that yours is the way for you and mine is the way for me and they have their way over there and we all have our own ways because our own ways – and not those dictated and enforced on us by others – offer the most personal satisfaction and happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I may make an observation, since my whole calling involves dealing with people, both inside and outside the church: I don\u2019t see a society in general that appears to be enjoying the happiness it was expecting in being able to choose its own way. The freedom from a sense of rigidly enforced cookie-cutter norms passed down from either parents or society and replaced by the freedom of self-expression and individualization was supposed to do the trick. But it seems as if we\u2019re the ones who\u2019ve been tricked. In other words, it doesn\u2019t strike me that \u201cyour way is the way\u201d and \u201cmy way can also be the way\u201d has resulted in the storybook bliss that was expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what I see. We are irate and angry – even when getting to do what we wanted! Why? Because as it turns out, it wasn\u2019t enough for me to get my way as long as there is still anyone else who isn\u2019t<\/em> OK with my way. Then I have to have my way AND<\/em> make sure everyone else is accepting of it. THEN I\u2019ll finally be happy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that wasn\u2019t the agreement (neither is it ever achievable!). We were supposed to be happy being free to be whatever we wanted and to do whatever we wanted with no strings attached. But we aren\u2019t. So rather than pausing to step back and evaluate or reassess whether or not choosing our own individualized paths is actually the best way, we do what comes most naturally to us all: we find someone or something else to blame for our dissatisfaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The comparison game that social media fosters is to blame – that\u2019s<\/span> why we\u2019re so unhappy. Politics are so divisive – that\u2019s<\/span> why we\u2019re so angry. The institution of marriage is so outdated – that\u2019s<\/span> why we\u2019re divorcing. A lack of gun control is the problem – that\u2019s<\/span> why we\u2019re shooting up schools and malls. We\u2019re getting bullied – that\u2019s<\/span> why we\u2019re committing suicide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is there some truth to each of these – yes, absolutely! That\u2019s what makes this all so dangerous. We hide our blaming behind the tiniest kernel of truth and call it justified. Maybe instead, we ought to consider the possibility that we\u2019ve hitched our wagon to the wrong horse of happiness and ask if there is a better way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, I could be wrong. But the research doesn\u2019t seem to reflect that. And by research, I mean Google. A simple Google search on happiness in America reveals hit after hit reflecting in one article or another that our happiness as a country is at a low point. So if research is showing us that Americans are the unhappiest they\u2019ve been in 50 years, maybe it\u2019s time to rethink the ways we\u2019ve chosen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s filter out all of the noise and try listening to the words of Jesus. He certainly grabs our attention with the first words from John 14. \u201cDo not let your hearts be troubled\u201d (v.1)<\/em><\/strong>. There is something soothing about just reading and hearing those words from Jesus. Why did he speak them? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the night before he was going to be crucified and it was the last meal he was sharing with his disciples. He was well aware of how difficult the next 24 hours would be for them when they would see how Jesus would be treated, tortured, and crucified. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of that, he had just finished telling his disciples that they would betray and deny him in the process. So we understand why their hearts would be troubled!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Jesus knows why your hearts are troubled, too. As I mentioned, there is a kernel of truth to all of the blame we place on everything else that weighs heavily on us. But those things alone don\u2019t bear 100% of the blame. As efficient as we are at directing blame elsewhere, we can\u2019t hide that we share some of it. We haven\u2019t played our part perfectly as parents, spouses, friends, employees, etc., leaving us still troubled with guilt and shame. So Jesus is speaking to you as much as he was his disciples on that night when he said, \u201cDo not let your hearts be troubled\u201d (v.1)<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To back up his words, Jesus then hit the fast-forward button to reassure his disciples by reminding them of the heavenly outcome waiting for them. Knowing that his disciples then and now cannot possibly comprehend the glories of heaven with the limitations of worldly knowledge and experiences, he opted for a relatable picture of heaven that has brought hope and comfort to countless souls ever since he first spoke the words. He promised a reservation and room in the mansion of heaven, further assuring his followers that if he was leaving to make sure all was ready for them in that place, that he would most surely return to take them there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, demonstrating their confusion, the disciples wanted Jesus to be more specific, as if he could give them the address so they could punch it into their GPS and have a clear picture of where they were going. That\u2019s when, with words that have reassured many and revolted others, Jesus reminded them that they already knew the way. He <\/em>was the way. He still is the way\u2026 and the truth, and the life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJesus answered, \u2018I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me\u2019\u201d (v.6)<\/em><\/strong>. I wonder how Jesus\u2019 words hit our ears today. I know many Christians find them so very comforting. There are also others who find them confusing, wondering what Jesus is actually saying with those words. And surely there are some who even find them a little off-putting. I mean, doesn\u2019t that sound a little egocentric or narcissistic to claim that you are the way\/truth\/life and that no one has access to God except through you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well… is it egocentric or narcissistic when the medical doctor prescribes only one medication, and one that is to be taken only when and as he directs? Is it egocentric or narcissistic when the successful coach gives a player a very specific set of drills to work on to improve in one area or another? Or a music teacher shows certain techniques to improve playing ability? Or\u2026 you get the point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In so many areas of life, we simply take the word of the expert. We don\u2019t huff and puff that they didn\u2019t permit us to do it the way we wanted to do it. We don\u2019t push back because they\u2019re being too presumptuous to assume their way is the only right way. We listen, and more often than not, when we do what they say, we find success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you know why you\u2019ll find success when taking Jesus at his Word and believing he is the way, the truth, and the life, and the One through whom we have access to God? Because he\u2019s already succeeded for <\/em>us. Here\u2019s why his way works: he <\/em>is the one who did the work. That\u2019s why his way is so unlike every other way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re probably familiar with the description of religions being like different paths that can be taken up a mountain. The point emphasized is that although they may be different paths, they all eventually will get you to the final destination: the top of the mountain, where god supposedly is. There may be different religious writings and various versions of guides and gurus to get you there, but eventually whichever religion or path you choose will get the job done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus says otherwise – and with good reason. Christianity doesn\u2019t presume to be just one more path up the mountain to get closer to God. Instead, it reveals a radically different take: God descended down the mountain to come to us because he knew we\u2019d never make it up to him. Jesus left heaven to be born into this world as a real person in a real place called Bethlehem. His perfect life was real. His death by crucifixion was real. His resurrection was real. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore this truth is real: your sins are fully paid for and forgiven. All of them. So is this truth: heaven is open to all who believe it. So is this truth: there is no mountain for you to climb, no penance for you to complete, no right for you to wrong. Everything has already been finished and completed for you in Christ Jesus. This is the way. Jesus is the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus calls us to believe this, but as if anticipating that his words might be too difficult for some, he even extends the invitation to \u201cat least believe on the evidence of the works themselves\u201d (v.11)<\/em><\/strong>. Jesus welcomes doubters and skeptics and calls us to look at the proof. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surely you know someone\u2019s life who has been radically changed by Jesus. I’m not referring to some short-term high that comes from the quick results of a fad diet. We aren\u2019t talking about the positive impact of a motivational speaker at some weekend getaway. This is more than the magic of some enchanted romantic relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I mean people whose upside-down lives have been turned right-side up. Those whose chains of bitterness and resentment have been broken. Addictions that have been overcome. Rage and anger have been eased into a gentle calm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not the poor examples of Jesus\u2019 followers that nullify the way of Christianity, but the good he still lavishes on this world despite <\/em>the poor examples. It\u2019s strong marriages. Good people. Selfless neighbors. Caring teachers. Compassionate communities. That we see any of these in a sin-shattered world is evidence that God paved a better way in the life, words, and works of Jesus. So if you\u2019re looking for life, look no further this is the way. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(John 14:1-11) Even if you\u2019re not a Star Wars nerd, the popularity of one of its spinoffs, The Mandalorian, has already cemented its catchphrase into pop culture: This is the way. It\u2019s a sort of catch-all code of honor among Mandalorians that is recited as if it were a religious rite, affirming an unquestioned devotion… Continue reading This Is the Way<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[65],"tags":[119,5,109,120,36,108,282],"class_list":["post-1112","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons","tag-easter","tag-jesus","tag-preaching","tag-resurrection","tag-sermon","tag-teaching","tag-way"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p842FN-hW","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1112","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1112"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1112\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1115,"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1112\/revisions\/1115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1112"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1112"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1thingmatters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1112"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}