The Way - John 14 - Easter 5A

The Way

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Sermon based upon John 14: 1-14, Psalm 31, Acts 7: 55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10

Opening Prayer

We land this Easter morning in John in the farewell discord.

I really enjoy the mystic and poetic way that John is given to us. “I am in the One and the One is in me.” But Thomas asks an important question, one that I am sure others have as well. “How can we know the way?”

John 14 is well known, and we see folks hanging verses from it around homes and on bumpers. 

“I am the way, the truth and the life…” 

What does this really mean though?

In John, Jesus uses this reflective “I am” no less than 7 times (like last week). This hails back to Exodus when Moses meets God, and Moses asks God, “who are you?” The response is, “I am.”

We will get back to more about this, but what does this mean ? Maybe the question is better what does it mean to you? Why is it important to consider that?

Lets look at this “way” that Jesus refers.

In my study of many different traditions, I witness strong parallels with Asian concepts of “the way,” especially Taoist ideas but also others like Buddhists.

Of the Tao, the way (the tao) is something that is true but cannot be described and does not have shape. Yet, the way is “gateway to all understanding.”

Buddhists call it the “Eightfold path” that arises out of the noble truths having “right” view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration. This path leads to a state of Enlightenment.

Similarly, Jesus calls to us a path to truth and life. Jesus sets forth a way to that truth by letting mystery be mystery and be free from desire where speech, intention, views, efforts, and mindfulness of ourselves, our community, our church and of God. Jesus is pathway to truth of God and the truth of Jesus.  

So yes there is a path for us. There is a way. That involves our faith, how we live, how we treat each other, how we care for ourselves in what we do and say.

We hear the lessons every week, and read them to learn aspects of that living. The question is whether we take that with us beyond the pews into our daily lives and into the community.  

Too often people put these famous verses on walls, but forget to heed the lessons in our own lives of which Jesus teaches us.

We don’t leave the lessons in the books, in the pews or bumper stickers, but we live out the lessons as followers and disciples of the Risen Christ. When you do, you will feel mystic properties of this lesson. You may feel the cosmic breath of God with you and in you, guiding you.

So take the lessons from the teaches of many traditions that lead us to true life, to God.

Further, we can read this as “[God] is the way, the truth and the life.” It starts with me, and the words: “I am.”

That is important to understand. Words and faith are meaningless if we don’t live and breath the lessons we are given here. 

Yes it starts with me - with you - yes you. 

Right your mind, right your action, lean into your faith, and live as one with God. Live in the possible of God with your neighbors in community. 

Be the catalyst for change that we need, and let it start with you, with me as a smile, a bit of hope, a speck of faith as a mustard seed. Then, I submit to you, I, in my meager corner of the universe, I can find purpose in that speck, that seed, and I can grow into something so much more. 

From there, let it grow and grow.

Let go of desire, let go of hate, let go of troubles, let go of pain. Even when all hope is gone from those around us, like Stephen in Acts. Once you do this, no matter how horrible life can be, you will find something in that truth for you - you can find peace that you surely need.

Beloved, you have all that you need right here in this very moment. Lean into the breath of God, and let the mystery carry you away from desire. Let the mystery be one with you. Feel the truth revealed to your heart.

Let God be your refuge, your fortress and “grow into your salvation.”

Beloved, this is not complicated, but very tangible and ready for you to welcome into your own hearts and minds. When you do, when you let that spirit be your way, then everything is truly possible and there is no need for want. 

That Beloved is Heaven on Earth.

That Beloved is 

Thanks Be to God