Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Please read Eddie's post for Tuesday. The quote from Charlie Peacock aptly describes the journey that I feel like I've been on for the past 3 years...
Monday, June 28, 2004
Reading Brennan Manning's "The Ragamuffin Gospel" yesterday I came across this:
In his book the Magnificent Defeat, Fredrick Buechner writes: "For what we need to know, of course, is not just that God exists...but that God is right here in the thick of our day-to-day lives who may not be writing messages about himself in the stars but in one way or another is trying to get messages through our blindness as we move around down here knee-deep in the fragrant muck and misery and marvel of the world. It is not objective proof of God's existence that we want but the experience of God's presence.
Later we find out that is really what God wants too:
In dealing with that fact that broken humanity desires justice, but God gives grace, Manning writes:
Justice says: "I owe you nothing for you have broken the contract." But where justice ends, love begins, and reveals that God is not interested merely in the dividends of the covenant. He is looking into the eyes of Israel from his depths to hers. He sees through the smokescreen of deeds good and bad to Israel herself. She glances up uneasily, "Who? Me?" "Yes, you. I don't want the abstractions of relationship. I want your heart."
In his book the Magnificent Defeat, Fredrick Buechner writes: "For what we need to know, of course, is not just that God exists...but that God is right here in the thick of our day-to-day lives who may not be writing messages about himself in the stars but in one way or another is trying to get messages through our blindness as we move around down here knee-deep in the fragrant muck and misery and marvel of the world. It is not objective proof of God's existence that we want but the experience of God's presence.
Later we find out that is really what God wants too:
In dealing with that fact that broken humanity desires justice, but God gives grace, Manning writes:
Justice says: "I owe you nothing for you have broken the contract." But where justice ends, love begins, and reveals that God is not interested merely in the dividends of the covenant. He is looking into the eyes of Israel from his depths to hers. He sees through the smokescreen of deeds good and bad to Israel herself. She glances up uneasily, "Who? Me?" "Yes, you. I don't want the abstractions of relationship. I want your heart."
Friday, June 25, 2004
Trippin'
We got back from our little excursion with the kids yesterday. We went to Holiday World for a day and camped out for a couple of nights. We had a great time riding rides with the kids and being family! Abbie rode her first big rollercoaster...The Raven. The terror in her face going down that first hill was priceless, then she was nothing but giggles from then on. We probably won't be going to Six Flags again anytime soon, Holiday World was perfect for our kids ages.
We had an intersting time back at the campsite. We got back from the park and had some new neighbors. On one side of us was the "good Christian" group. They had their church t-shirts on and no beer in site. Our other neighbors were obviously having a rough time of it. We could hear them fighting and her saying "This whole day has been shit!" So, once again we are between the porch and altar (Joel 2:17). That seems to be where God wants us. The couple decided to leave in the darkness and started packing up the tent. Of course, the "good Christians" didn't lift a finger to help...after all, this guy was a Samaritan! I moved my van to give him some light and helped him pack up. Turned out his wife had a baby 4 weeks ago...probably a bad move to go camping that soon after...my guess is that it was not a pleasant ride home for them...
One of the highlights of the trip was getting to be about 20 yards away from two juvenile bald eagles. I thought they were hawks at first, but some park workers said they were eagles. We got to watch them soar from tree to tree, and eat some worms. You could hear the mother call to them in the night. Very cool!
I'm ready to go camping again...
P.S. - Thanks to George for the Wayne Jacobsen CD's on The Cross. We finally listened to the first one on the trip. Very good stuff!
We got back from our little excursion with the kids yesterday. We went to Holiday World for a day and camped out for a couple of nights. We had a great time riding rides with the kids and being family! Abbie rode her first big rollercoaster...The Raven. The terror in her face going down that first hill was priceless, then she was nothing but giggles from then on. We probably won't be going to Six Flags again anytime soon, Holiday World was perfect for our kids ages.
We had an intersting time back at the campsite. We got back from the park and had some new neighbors. On one side of us was the "good Christian" group. They had their church t-shirts on and no beer in site. Our other neighbors were obviously having a rough time of it. We could hear them fighting and her saying "This whole day has been shit!" So, once again we are between the porch and altar (Joel 2:17). That seems to be where God wants us. The couple decided to leave in the darkness and started packing up the tent. Of course, the "good Christians" didn't lift a finger to help...after all, this guy was a Samaritan! I moved my van to give him some light and helped him pack up. Turned out his wife had a baby 4 weeks ago...probably a bad move to go camping that soon after...my guess is that it was not a pleasant ride home for them...
One of the highlights of the trip was getting to be about 20 yards away from two juvenile bald eagles. I thought they were hawks at first, but some park workers said they were eagles. We got to watch them soar from tree to tree, and eat some worms. You could hear the mother call to them in the night. Very cool!
I'm ready to go camping again...
P.S. - Thanks to George for the Wayne Jacobsen CD's on The Cross. We finally listened to the first one on the trip. Very good stuff!
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
We had church last night...
...didn't hear a sermon, didn't sing a song, didn't have an altar...we sat around the kitchen table of friends and poured out our hearts to each other. Tears were cried, and deep things in our hearts were made known...
It never ceases to amaze me when we gather in our homes to get to know Jesus and each other how the Spirit reveals Him to us. As we gather with some folks who want to love Jesus, but are just learning how after years of attending church, I am beginning to realize what servanthood means.
My friends on the journey still talk about loving the church we attend, not the church the family of God belongs to. They still talk about the programs and ministries of the organization and how much they are "blessed" by them. They still talk about how they feel such a part of the institution and they like it. You know what? I don't care. I was there once. God took me through a 3 year journey to get where I am at. I am believe that part of servanthood is allowing people the privledge of going through their process of coming to realize that Jesus is life. Exactly what we discussed last night:
Joh 1:3 Everything was created through him; nothing--not one thing!-- came into being without him.
Joh 1:4 What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by.
So, as their servant, I pray that God will help me keep pointing them to Jesus...Prayerfully, patiently, and hopefully full of compassion, mercy and grace...just how God has dealt with me on this journey...
...didn't hear a sermon, didn't sing a song, didn't have an altar...we sat around the kitchen table of friends and poured out our hearts to each other. Tears were cried, and deep things in our hearts were made known...
It never ceases to amaze me when we gather in our homes to get to know Jesus and each other how the Spirit reveals Him to us. As we gather with some folks who want to love Jesus, but are just learning how after years of attending church, I am beginning to realize what servanthood means.
My friends on the journey still talk about loving the church we attend, not the church the family of God belongs to. They still talk about the programs and ministries of the organization and how much they are "blessed" by them. They still talk about how they feel such a part of the institution and they like it. You know what? I don't care. I was there once. God took me through a 3 year journey to get where I am at. I am believe that part of servanthood is allowing people the privledge of going through their process of coming to realize that Jesus is life. Exactly what we discussed last night:
Joh 1:3 Everything was created through him; nothing--not one thing!-- came into being without him.
Joh 1:4 What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by.
So, as their servant, I pray that God will help me keep pointing them to Jesus...Prayerfully, patiently, and hopefully full of compassion, mercy and grace...just how God has dealt with me on this journey...
Monday, June 21, 2004
Lessons learned...
My pool is crystal clear! The kids swam in it this week and had a blast!
The road to get to the clear water wasn't easy. It took patience, endurance and lots of chemicals.
I am reminded of my journey. I came to Jesus with a heart polluted by sin. Murky, green water. The stuff living in it wasn't supposed to be there. But over time God's been using chlorine to clean it up.
The change is gradual. As my pool cleared up I could see another 6 inches deeper into the pool each day. I knew stuff was happening, but it wasn't happening at the speed I would have liked! I wanted a clear pool now! You know, the pool didn't get green in a day, and didn't get clean in a day either!
You know what? Even though I can't see the algae right now, there's still some there... I need to keep the chlorine levels elevated to get rid of all of it! Just because I can't see sin in my own life doesn't mean that it's not there...I still need chlorine for my heart...Now that the pool is clean it takes less chemicals to keep it clean, but it still takes some chemicals. If I choose not to put chemicals in for a few days it will get cloudy, then green again... My life is like that too.
Every pool is different. Keeping the PH, Alkalinity, CYA and Chlorine levels right means getting to know your pool. It depends on outside factors too. How much rain, sun, chemicals in the tap water, and number of people in the pool. If use the same amount of chemicals that I use, you might get radically different results.
Like my pool, the things that I do to stay in an active, ongoing, loving, joyful relationship with Jesus may not work for you. What I do on my spiritual journey may not work for you at all! Pool chemistry is not a one size fits all, neither is the spiritual life.
There are some guidelines for good levels of chemicals though. I see that in my life too...Are the fruit of the Spirit present in my life? Am I more in love with Jesus than I was yesterday? Does servanthood flow from my life? Is God alone satisfying the longings of my heart? These are some signs that the water is staying fresh...
Joh 4:10 Jesus answered, "If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water."
+ May God keep our water clear! +
My pool is crystal clear! The kids swam in it this week and had a blast!
The road to get to the clear water wasn't easy. It took patience, endurance and lots of chemicals.
I am reminded of my journey. I came to Jesus with a heart polluted by sin. Murky, green water. The stuff living in it wasn't supposed to be there. But over time God's been using chlorine to clean it up.
The change is gradual. As my pool cleared up I could see another 6 inches deeper into the pool each day. I knew stuff was happening, but it wasn't happening at the speed I would have liked! I wanted a clear pool now! You know, the pool didn't get green in a day, and didn't get clean in a day either!
You know what? Even though I can't see the algae right now, there's still some there... I need to keep the chlorine levels elevated to get rid of all of it! Just because I can't see sin in my own life doesn't mean that it's not there...I still need chlorine for my heart...Now that the pool is clean it takes less chemicals to keep it clean, but it still takes some chemicals. If I choose not to put chemicals in for a few days it will get cloudy, then green again... My life is like that too.
Every pool is different. Keeping the PH, Alkalinity, CYA and Chlorine levels right means getting to know your pool. It depends on outside factors too. How much rain, sun, chemicals in the tap water, and number of people in the pool. If use the same amount of chemicals that I use, you might get radically different results.
Like my pool, the things that I do to stay in an active, ongoing, loving, joyful relationship with Jesus may not work for you. What I do on my spiritual journey may not work for you at all! Pool chemistry is not a one size fits all, neither is the spiritual life.
There are some guidelines for good levels of chemicals though. I see that in my life too...Are the fruit of the Spirit present in my life? Am I more in love with Jesus than I was yesterday? Does servanthood flow from my life? Is God alone satisfying the longings of my heart? These are some signs that the water is staying fresh...
Joh 4:10 Jesus answered, "If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water."
+ May God keep our water clear! +
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Whew! I got my homework done for tonight, so I'm giving myself the privledge of blogging. I am procrastinator. I mean that only in the best way, of course! :-) I work best at the last minute. The other guys in school spend hours on their papers and I spend minutes and usually still get A's. It does add some stress though...
We had our gathering last night. We are getting to know each other better, on deeper levels. This is SO DIFFERENT for some of these folks. One of them said that she has a Bible at home, but has not read it in years...this is a super lady, but gave up reading the Bible becuase the version she had was KJV and she couldn't understand it. They recognize that this a HUGE step in their journey....Nothing gets me fired up like seeing people grow spiritually. I look forward to what will be happening...
THE POOL LOOKS CLEARER TODAY! YEAH! I have been so discouraged with this pool, but after following some directions at Pool Solutions the algae is clearing up. The pool store gave some bogus advice! I'll pray for 'em later...
We had our gathering last night. We are getting to know each other better, on deeper levels. This is SO DIFFERENT for some of these folks. One of them said that she has a Bible at home, but has not read it in years...this is a super lady, but gave up reading the Bible becuase the version she had was KJV and she couldn't understand it. They recognize that this a HUGE step in their journey....Nothing gets me fired up like seeing people grow spiritually. I look forward to what will be happening...
THE POOL LOOKS CLEARER TODAY! YEAH! I have been so discouraged with this pool, but after following some directions at Pool Solutions the algae is clearing up. The pool store gave some bogus advice! I'll pray for 'em later...
Monday, June 14, 2004
Had a good weekend. We took the kids to the community parade and Schweizerfest. We weren't planning on doing rides becuase we are takin the kids to Holiday World in the near future, but our friends got some free ride tickets and shared them with us. We are blessed in so many ways! Thanks Darrin and Penny!
On the pool front...AAAARRRRRGH! I am still battling with the algae! I am on the right track though thanks to Pool Solutions website. This is the most common sense stuff I have seen about pools. The fact is that the chemicals you buy at the pool store are essentially bleach, baking soda and Borax.....I don't think the pool store will tell you that though...
Here are some interesting lyrics from Pedro the Lion...
Letter From A Concerned Follower
It's weird to think of all the things that have not been keeping up with the times. It's ten o' clock, the sun has now just begun to set the western hills on fire.
I hear that you don't change.
And how do you expect to keep up with the trends?
You won't survive the information age unless you plan to change the truth to accommodate the brilliance of men, the brilliance of men.
Some folks think we're better now.
Social evolutions new synthetic will will keep us on a straighter path,
'cause better men use brand new math with no wrong answers.
I'm just a little bit worried. Do you have some sort of plan?
Have you been finally defeated by the cunning of these fully evolved men?
I hear that you don't change.
And how do you expect to keep up with the trends?
You won't survive the information age unless you plan to change the truth to accomodate the brilliance of men, yeah , the brilliance of men.
On the pool front...AAAARRRRRGH! I am still battling with the algae! I am on the right track though thanks to Pool Solutions website. This is the most common sense stuff I have seen about pools. The fact is that the chemicals you buy at the pool store are essentially bleach, baking soda and Borax.....I don't think the pool store will tell you that though...
Here are some interesting lyrics from Pedro the Lion...
Letter From A Concerned Follower
It's weird to think of all the things that have not been keeping up with the times. It's ten o' clock, the sun has now just begun to set the western hills on fire.
I hear that you don't change.
And how do you expect to keep up with the trends?
You won't survive the information age unless you plan to change the truth to accommodate the brilliance of men, the brilliance of men.
Some folks think we're better now.
Social evolutions new synthetic will will keep us on a straighter path,
'cause better men use brand new math with no wrong answers.
I'm just a little bit worried. Do you have some sort of plan?
Have you been finally defeated by the cunning of these fully evolved men?
I hear that you don't change.
And how do you expect to keep up with the trends?
You won't survive the information age unless you plan to change the truth to accomodate the brilliance of men, yeah , the brilliance of men.
Friday, June 11, 2004
We had a good time last night. We drove 2 hours to Peoria to play some music for the United Methodist Conference. It is an interesting event.... I am so sensitive to the hypocrisy of the IC and heirarchical system that it was hard to concentrate on what I was there for....the most fun was just getting to fellowship on the ride up and back.
I was so proud of the band! We played for 3,000 people and everything went really well! Heck, Bob has only been playing bass for a few months...tough gig for a newbie. Actually, that was the biggest crowd I have every played for....I always new I'd play for large crowds...who knew it would be the UMC Conference! :-)
In my study I came across these verses:
Joh 17:1-3 Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said: Father, it's time. Display the bright splendor of your Son so the Son in turn may show your bright splendor. You put him in charge of everything human So he might give real and eternal life to all in his charge. And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, The one and only true God, And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
Jesus has told us that eternal life consists of knowing Father and Jesus! Another example of how I missed the boat by understanding the Gospel to be a proposition to which I needed to give mental assent, and a moral code I must follow. It is in getting to know him intimately that I taste eternal life.
Is this what Jesus meant when he said:
Mar 1:15 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God draws near. Repent, and believe the gospel.
Jesus is saying: A new era is here! This is a decisive, life-changing time! Change your life! Rethink your life! Reorder your life! The kingdom of God is in me! Get to know me and join the kingdom! Eternal life begins now! Trust in, lean back on, rest in this good news!
I was so proud of the band! We played for 3,000 people and everything went really well! Heck, Bob has only been playing bass for a few months...tough gig for a newbie. Actually, that was the biggest crowd I have every played for....I always new I'd play for large crowds...who knew it would be the UMC Conference! :-)
In my study I came across these verses:
Joh 17:1-3 Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said: Father, it's time. Display the bright splendor of your Son so the Son in turn may show your bright splendor. You put him in charge of everything human So he might give real and eternal life to all in his charge. And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, The one and only true God, And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
Jesus has told us that eternal life consists of knowing Father and Jesus! Another example of how I missed the boat by understanding the Gospel to be a proposition to which I needed to give mental assent, and a moral code I must follow. It is in getting to know him intimately that I taste eternal life.
Is this what Jesus meant when he said:
Mar 1:15 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God draws near. Repent, and believe the gospel.
Jesus is saying: A new era is here! This is a decisive, life-changing time! Change your life! Rethink your life! Reorder your life! The kingdom of God is in me! Get to know me and join the kingdom! Eternal life begins now! Trust in, lean back on, rest in this good news!
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Spiritual Maturity
How do we know if we are maturing spiritually? I think that's a great question! Bill posted these signs from Foster's book "Prayer."
Signs of a maturing faith:
- continuing hunger for intimacy with God
- ability to forgive others at great personal cost
- a living sense that God alone can satisfy the longings of the human heart
- a deep satisfaction in prayer
- a realistic assessment of personal abilities and shortcomings
- a freedom from boasting about spiritual accomplishments
- a demonstrated ability to live out the demands of life patiently and wisely
What do you think? Is this accurate? Would you add or delete anything?
To the second sign I might change it to read "Ability to forgive and serve others at great personal cost." Jesus, fueled by love, came to serve; to be last; to be least.
Eph 4:15 God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love--like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.
Eph 4:16 He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
How do we know if we are maturing spiritually? I think that's a great question! Bill posted these signs from Foster's book "Prayer."
Signs of a maturing faith:
- continuing hunger for intimacy with God
- ability to forgive others at great personal cost
- a living sense that God alone can satisfy the longings of the human heart
- a deep satisfaction in prayer
- a realistic assessment of personal abilities and shortcomings
- a freedom from boasting about spiritual accomplishments
- a demonstrated ability to live out the demands of life patiently and wisely
What do you think? Is this accurate? Would you add or delete anything?
To the second sign I might change it to read "Ability to forgive and serve others at great personal cost." Jesus, fueled by love, came to serve; to be last; to be least.
Eph 4:15 God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love--like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.
Eph 4:16 He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
We had a great gathering the other night! People sitting around our living room, getting to know each other and talking about Kingdom stuff. I like it! We talked about why we go to the local church we attend, and what keeps us there, and what we wanted to get out of our gathering. We have a lot of former Catholics in our church, and the conversation turned toward the reasons that so many are choosing to attend Protestant churches.
I can't help but get the feeling that God is starting to move in Highland, IL. It has been so dry here for so long....I know that he was moving in the Hiduk house...
I am still seeking direction on the job front. Money is tight around here and I don't care for it. I'm not about wealth in the least, but when you can't take care of what you got it starts to wear on you... I have an offer for part-time work at the local library, but I wonder if it will be more trouble than it is worth...
We are playing some music at the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the United Methodist Church. Basically, we are doing this at the pastor's request. These things are about as spiritually dead as you can get... I'm not backing down though. The band is going in with guns blazing! I think there might be some grey hair standing on end when we are done....
I can't help but get the feeling that God is starting to move in Highland, IL. It has been so dry here for so long....I know that he was moving in the Hiduk house...
I am still seeking direction on the job front. Money is tight around here and I don't care for it. I'm not about wealth in the least, but when you can't take care of what you got it starts to wear on you... I have an offer for part-time work at the local library, but I wonder if it will be more trouble than it is worth...
We are playing some music at the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the United Methodist Church. Basically, we are doing this at the pastor's request. These things are about as spiritually dead as you can get... I'm not backing down though. The band is going in with guns blazing! I think there might be some grey hair standing on end when we are done....
Monday, June 07, 2004
The Battle...
Not much time to Blog lately...I'm in a fierce battle with....my pool! We bought our house in November, so the pool was already "winterized" by the previous owners. What we found out is that meant they put the cover on it after about a ton of leaves had already fallen in it (God bless 'em!)! I am cleaning the filter daily, or more, and buying to many chemicals. We really don't have the money for it, but I'm looking at it like a great tool for us to gather around on hot summer nights...fellowship, fun, barbecue, maybe a beer or two....Sounds close to the Kingdom to me....
Saturday night we visited with The Oding's gathering again. It was so great just to sit back and watch the love that has blossomed in the past 5 or 6 months. These folks love each other, are caring for each other, and growing in love for Jesus.
Yesterday we had a small group "leadership meeting." We talked about what God is doing in our gatherings, challenges and succeses. I read a little bit out of The Jesus Style about love being the sole mark of a disciple, and leading by serving. It's great to be reminded about the core teachings of Jesus.
We have our first gathering this evening. We have people over all the time, but we decided to get intentional about asking some folks to gather. We have 7-8 couples coming tonight! Pray that God will multiply the space in our living room! It is awesome to see God working in ways that we have been dreaming and praying about for such a long time....
Not much time to Blog lately...I'm in a fierce battle with....my pool! We bought our house in November, so the pool was already "winterized" by the previous owners. What we found out is that meant they put the cover on it after about a ton of leaves had already fallen in it (God bless 'em!)! I am cleaning the filter daily, or more, and buying to many chemicals. We really don't have the money for it, but I'm looking at it like a great tool for us to gather around on hot summer nights...fellowship, fun, barbecue, maybe a beer or two....Sounds close to the Kingdom to me....
Saturday night we visited with The Oding's gathering again. It was so great just to sit back and watch the love that has blossomed in the past 5 or 6 months. These folks love each other, are caring for each other, and growing in love for Jesus.
Yesterday we had a small group "leadership meeting." We talked about what God is doing in our gatherings, challenges and succeses. I read a little bit out of The Jesus Style about love being the sole mark of a disciple, and leading by serving. It's great to be reminded about the core teachings of Jesus.
We have our first gathering this evening. We have people over all the time, but we decided to get intentional about asking some folks to gather. We have 7-8 couples coming tonight! Pray that God will multiply the space in our living room! It is awesome to see God working in ways that we have been dreaming and praying about for such a long time....
Thursday, June 03, 2004
I'm going through he Gospel of John to get to know Jesus better. Trying to understand what was really important to Him. Jesus is present, the Spirit is teaching, the Father is being revealed.
Today I read John 14. There is so much there it is unreal! The keywords that Jesus says over and over are: believe, works, Spirit, love.
I was struck by these verses again...for the first time...
John 14:5-7
Thomas said, "Master, we have no idea where you're going. How do you expect us to know the road?" Jesus said, "I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You've even seen him!"
I can relate to Thomas. A little honest, skeptical, and uninhibited. He voiced what he was feeling...confusion, despair, bewilderment...
Jesus' answer to him is earth-shattering. He doesn't claim to know the way, the truth and life as some type of formula he can teach us. He says, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life." He is the the answer! The answer is found in relationship with Him!
I have always focused so much on 14:6 that the next verse seemed to get lost. The word for "knew" in the Greek implies a journey ie. "came to know". In 14:7 Jesus is saying that if we have an experiential relationship with Him we will know the Father! We are to have a progressive, experiential relationship with Jesus as a way to the Father.
Jesus is the Road because His sinlessness allows him a clear view of the Father. Jesus is Truth because He makes sense of life. He is the Life. Death could not conquer Him. He is the source of all life, spiritual and physical! In knowing, resting and living with Him the Road, Truth and Life are ours!
Today I read John 14. There is so much there it is unreal! The keywords that Jesus says over and over are: believe, works, Spirit, love.
I was struck by these verses again...for the first time...
John 14:5-7
Thomas said, "Master, we have no idea where you're going. How do you expect us to know the road?" Jesus said, "I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You've even seen him!"
I can relate to Thomas. A little honest, skeptical, and uninhibited. He voiced what he was feeling...confusion, despair, bewilderment...
Jesus' answer to him is earth-shattering. He doesn't claim to know the way, the truth and life as some type of formula he can teach us. He says, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life." He is the the answer! The answer is found in relationship with Him!
I have always focused so much on 14:6 that the next verse seemed to get lost. The word for "knew" in the Greek implies a journey ie. "came to know". In 14:7 Jesus is saying that if we have an experiential relationship with Him we will know the Father! We are to have a progressive, experiential relationship with Jesus as a way to the Father.
Jesus is the Road because His sinlessness allows him a clear view of the Father. Jesus is Truth because He makes sense of life. He is the Life. Death could not conquer Him. He is the source of all life, spiritual and physical! In knowing, resting and living with Him the Road, Truth and Life are ours!
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