WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.680 The internet is full of sat-nav jokes. 00:00:04.700 --> 00:00:05.919 I'll like to this one. 00:00:06.020 --> 00:00:21.559 A minicab driver taking a fare to a Chelsea football match ended up 146 miles off course after his sat-nav directed him to the small village of Stamford Bridge in North Yorkshire instead of the Chelsea football ground in London. 00:00:22.660 --> 00:00:27.620 There was the man who was stopped by armed anti-terrorist police at Manchester Airport. 00:00:27.620 --> 00:00:38.179 Apparently he'd been observed circling the airport for about an hour and when they stopped and challenged him he said that his sat-nav was directing him to a Burger King. 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:49.780 Sadly it didn't tell him that it wasn't a Burger King drive-thru and in fact the Burger King that he was looking for was 100 metres inside the Manchester Terminal building. 00:00:49.780 --> 00:01:01.380 In this I Am series of teachings of Jesus the disciples are at a crunch point because they are looking for direction. 00:01:02.640 --> 00:01:04.400 Jesus knows that the cross is looming. 00:01:04.939 --> 00:01:06.299 He knows that it isn't far away. 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:08.000 He's washed his disciples feet. 00:01:08.340 --> 00:01:09.640 He predicts his betrayal. 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:11.760 He's sharing with them at the Last Supper. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:21.939 Peter has made that huge statement to say that he will lay down his life for Jesus and Jesus tells him the sobering fact that he will deny him three times. 00:01:21.939 --> 00:01:29.359 It sounds like the disciples are totally lost as to what is happening. 00:01:29.519 --> 00:01:31.319 They are certainly in need of direction. 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:34.659 Does that sound familiar to you in your life? 00:01:34.739 --> 00:01:41.439 Has there been times when you have desperately needed direction and not really sure where to look? 00:01:41.539 --> 00:01:44.060 That's where the disciples are this morning. 00:01:44.060 --> 00:01:49.640 The good news is that Jesus steps straight in. 00:01:50.140 --> 00:01:51.180 He doesn't hold back. 00:01:51.439 --> 00:01:54.820 He reassures them in the reading that we have just heard this morning. 00:01:55.480 --> 00:01:56.939 And you may recognise this reading. 00:01:57.020 --> 00:02:00.099 It's the reading that we read so often at people's funerals. 00:02:01.219 --> 00:02:05.800 And for people I believe it's a huge hope and encouragement. 00:02:05.799 --> 00:02:23.759 Because if the person who has died hasn't really followed Jesus' direction for most of their life, everyone is sitting there hoping beyond hope and in the grace of God that their loved one is going in the right direction. 00:02:24.900 --> 00:02:26.859 Because it's the big question, isn't it? 00:02:27.019 --> 00:02:28.519 How do we know the way? 00:02:29.960 --> 00:02:33.019 Thomas gets to ask that big question in scripture. 00:02:33.020 --> 00:02:36.040 I guess everybody else in the room was wanting to ask that one. 00:02:36.120 --> 00:02:38.020 But it's Thomas who asks it. 00:02:39.140 --> 00:02:44.400 You know, if we don't know where you're going, how can we follow you? 00:02:45.620 --> 00:02:50.240 Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. 00:02:50.620 --> 00:02:52.960 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:02:53.500 --> 00:02:54.140 Don't worry. 00:02:55.120 --> 00:02:56.320 Don't worry, I'll show you. 00:02:56.379 --> 00:02:59.379 If you stick with me, you won't get lost. 00:03:00.500 --> 00:03:02.660 The promise is still true for us today. 00:03:02.659 --> 00:03:10.060 I love that rabbinic saying that may you be covered by the dust of your rabbi. 00:03:10.259 --> 00:03:12.620 People would stay so close to their rabbi. 00:03:14.060 --> 00:03:18.680 And if you stick close to Jesus, we can't go wrong. 00:03:20.280 --> 00:03:23.219 Let's dig into the story this morning from John 14. 00:03:23.680 --> 00:03:26.460 We begin with the fact of the way of Jesus. 00:03:26.639 --> 00:03:27.620 It's a way of life. 00:03:27.620 --> 00:03:37.120 Jesus showed them and us what it looks like in the everyday to be a disciple, to do life with Jesus. 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:44.700 In this reading, Jesus was preparing his disciples for the grief that they will inevitably feel at his coming death. 00:03:44.819 --> 00:03:46.080 Don't let your hearts be troubled. 00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:50.160 Jesus tells them, trust in God and trust in me. 00:03:50.360 --> 00:03:53.020 Because in my Father's house, there are many rooms. 00:03:53.020 --> 00:04:02.719 I'm going to go and prepare a place for you and will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am. 00:04:02.719 --> 00:04:06.639 You know, that's hugely comforting. 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:10.219 That's hugely comforting for the future. 00:04:10.219 --> 00:04:14.659 That's my reservations, I guess, about a sat-nav. 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:18.240 You know, I don't really trust in the route it's going to take me. 00:04:18.860 --> 00:04:27.019 As much as I want to go in one direction, often it takes me off down a country lane, somewhere where I don't really want to go. 00:04:27.139 --> 00:04:29.019 And I don't totally trust it. 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:34.480 You know, with Jesus, we have eternal life in him. 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:36.720 We can rise above the worry and fear. 00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:45.460 We know that when life takes a bit of a detour, that Jesus is with us and will put us back on the right track. 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:51.080 I'm so thankful for that in my life, and I'm sure you are for yours as well at times. 00:04:51.440 --> 00:04:53.340 Jesus takes our hand and lead us. 00:04:53.780 --> 00:05:02.640 And no matter how diminished our physical frame becomes, we have that peace of knowing that there is life beyond the grave too. 00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:04.820 What a comfort. 00:05:04.819 --> 00:05:09.219 But this isn't about just eternal life. 00:05:09.540 --> 00:05:10.879 This is about now. 00:05:11.740 --> 00:05:17.899 You know, while it's common and correct interpretations to think that Jesus was talking about the way to heavenly life, 00:05:18.199 --> 00:05:24.379 Jesus is also talking about the way of life that starts now when we say yes to Jesus. 00:05:25.279 --> 00:05:31.139 You know, in this Gospel of John, eternal life is a quality of existence as much as a period of time. 00:05:31.139 --> 00:05:39.199 A quality of life begins as soon as we believe and say yes and continue in our discipleship with Jesus. 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:44.939 Like many people, there are people stepping out with new ventures at the moment. 00:05:45.060 --> 00:05:50.560 They're stepping into uncharted territory in their life and in their career. 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:52.500 A friend of mine sent me this. 00:05:52.579 --> 00:05:56.680 He said, when you think you have arrived, the journey is probably only just beginning. 00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:58.199 That is so true. 00:05:58.199 --> 00:06:00.720 But Jesus is with you. 00:06:02.100 --> 00:06:07.600 Jesus' directions mean that we have the confidence to face whatever we are facing. 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:09.600 We don't have to run and hide. 00:06:10.160 --> 00:06:12.120 We don't have to detour around in fear. 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:18.139 We can go forward believing that Jesus is always with us as he has promised. 00:06:18.139 --> 00:06:22.159 But then Jesus talks about truth. 00:06:22.579 --> 00:06:24.659 Truth is an interesting concept, isn't it? 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:28.060 You know, by saying I am the way, the truth and the life, 00:06:28.419 --> 00:06:32.959 Jesus was referring to the truth in his relationship with the Father. 00:06:34.839 --> 00:06:40.579 Many of Jesus' first century peers thought that he overstated his relationship with the Father. 00:06:41.300 --> 00:06:44.039 And I would dare say there's many people that would do that today. 00:06:44.040 --> 00:06:49.500 All that I am talk is pretty hard to absorb. 00:06:50.660 --> 00:06:55.480 You know, and people will say, and I've heard it again and again in Alpha courses, you know, 00:06:55.720 --> 00:06:58.840 how can one human being be God in the world? 00:06:58.980 --> 00:07:03.300 How could one limited flesh and blood person represent all that God is? 00:07:03.540 --> 00:07:09.460 How could someone who lived for only 33 years be the God who was and is and always will be? 00:07:11.160 --> 00:07:12.400 It's big questions. 00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:18.699 Even harder, perhaps, is the statement in John 14, 6, 00:07:18.799 --> 00:07:20.939 no one comes to the Father except through me. 00:07:21.839 --> 00:07:23.859 You know, those big statements. 00:07:23.979 --> 00:07:24.560 But you know what? 00:07:24.799 --> 00:07:27.419 I think sometimes we make this harder than it is. 00:07:28.099 --> 00:07:33.679 The truth is that Jesus was and is in such a close relationship with the Father 00:07:33.679 --> 00:07:38.500 that he gives us, us, his followers, an opening to the Father himself. 00:07:38.500 --> 00:07:40.180 That was it. 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:48.060 The power and values of the Father are revealed in and through the ministries of Jesus again and again and again. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:51.199 And that's what all these I am sayings are about. 00:07:51.639 --> 00:07:53.779 They were glimpses of the Father. 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:57.980 You know, hence Jesus can say with confidence, I am the bread of life. 00:07:58.160 --> 00:07:59.720 I am the light of the world. 00:07:59.720 --> 00:08:01.080 I am the good shepherd. 00:08:01.400 --> 00:08:03.380 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:08:03.520 --> 00:08:05.740 Through Jesus, we know the Father. 00:08:05.940 --> 00:08:12.300 We have seen the Father through the character and love of Jesus. 00:08:12.580 --> 00:08:14.960 We have seen people loved. 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:16.440 We have seen people held. 00:08:16.880 --> 00:08:18.860 We have seen people saved. 00:08:18.860 --> 00:08:20.139 We have seen people rescued. 00:08:20.620 --> 00:08:24.160 That's the truth that Jesus was trying to tell Thomas. 00:08:24.520 --> 00:08:26.780 The Father isn't distant and unknowable. 00:08:28.040 --> 00:08:32.100 They are already living in a relationship because of Jesus. 00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:35.340 They were already living in the way of truth. 00:08:35.340 --> 00:08:43.019 I find huge strength in John 14, 6, in this I am statement that he makes. 00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:56.280 Yet in this peacey world, many of maybe our peers, Christians, not yet Christians, struggle with the term, 00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:59.000 no one comes to the Father but by me. 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:05.500 Let's just put this in the context of Jesus' teaching and his character. 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:08.179 Jesus wasn't arrogant. 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:13.460 Jesus didn't set high bars for people to fail. 00:09:14.440 --> 00:09:17.759 Jesus never claimed superiority over others. 00:09:18.059 --> 00:09:21.080 His humility was evident in all that he did. 00:09:21.179 --> 00:09:28.240 In fact, when he says this, he is facing the cross, excruciating death and pain to save you and I. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:31.799 I don't sense that he is condemning anyone here. 00:09:32.820 --> 00:09:34.779 He's offering a way. 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:37.360 A way of truth and life. 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:39.000 A way of salvation. 00:09:39.360 --> 00:09:41.580 Jesus is the way of life. 00:09:42.759 --> 00:09:46.220 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:47.879 And love your neighbour as yourself. 00:09:48.820 --> 00:09:50.960 No one gets excluded from those choices. 00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:54.659 That's just an offer that is being made. 00:09:54.759 --> 00:09:56.539 The love of God in Christ Jesus. 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:59.980 For each one of us to take if we wish. 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:03.699 And it's a good path to take. 00:10:06.199 --> 00:10:08.439 So how is your life configured at the moment? 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:11.599 Have you put in the right data? 00:10:12.699 --> 00:10:13.539 Do you trust him? 00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:14.879 Do you totally trust him? 00:10:15.259 --> 00:10:17.059 In his directions for your life? 00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:20.519 Have you checked in lately to see if you're on the right road? 00:10:20.519 --> 00:10:24.519 And if you haven't, are you ready to seek a new direction with him? 00:10:25.059 --> 00:10:31.399 Are you confident enough in your own life in Jesus to direct other people to him? 00:10:31.399 --> 00:10:34.139 Are you confident in your own journey with him? 00:10:34.840 --> 00:10:41.939 When you find yourself and others up a cul-de-sac of life, not knowing where to go, having taken the wrong turn. 00:10:42.299 --> 00:10:44.840 Are you ready to repent? 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:47.159 Repent means just turning around. 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:53.059 Are you ready to reconfigure and repent and journey with Jesus in a new direction? 00:10:53.179 --> 00:10:56.279 Are you humble and bold and courageous enough to do that? 00:10:56.279 --> 00:11:03.179 And are you ready to submit to God's will and his leading? 00:11:03.339 --> 00:11:10.699 Because when the rubber hits the road, can I be confident enough to let go of the steering wheel, knowing that God will guide me? 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:15.100 Submitting to God's will takes humility. 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:23.860 Stopping to ask him what that journey should look like is a big thing for some of us. 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:28.519 Maybe today you want to do that. 00:11:30.440 --> 00:11:33.100 Maybe you want to go back to the map, to the Bible. 00:11:33.300 --> 00:11:36.500 Maybe you haven't opened it for days, weeks, maybe even years. 00:11:37.180 --> 00:11:43.279 Maybe you just want to go back and reconfigure with who this Jesus is that we are following. 00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:46.919 And believing in those big statements that he makes. 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:52.279 Thomas said along with many today. 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:54.940 We don't know where we're going. 00:11:55.060 --> 00:11:56.180 How can we know the way? 00:11:56.180 --> 00:12:00.539 And Jesus says to him and to us. 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:05.080 I am the way, the truth and the life. 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:08.060 It's a great setting for our lives.