PART FIVE: Knowing the True Way- John 14:5-14

Sermon title: Knowing the true way in Jesus.
Sermon subject: Jesus reassures his Disciples
Sermon Objective: That listeners would understand and follow Jesus.

Introduction.

There is no other part in the gospel I have observed more confusion with the disciples as chapter 14. This is because the attention is turned to the problem of death and separation. The little company that had been so much together is so much threatened by the loss of it's leader and the disruption of the fellowship. How is it going to survive without Jesus?

Explanation

In the beginning of chapter 14 the disciple of Jesus are troubled something he had pointed to them. He however wanted them to set their hearts at ease. He urged them to maintain their trust in God and in him inspite of the threatening circumstances 14:1-2. Jesus did not tell them about the way which he is going but he said “Where I am going you know the way” he assumed that they know the way for he has been with them for a while now and many times he has talked about his Father in heaven.

We see Thomas being genuine and speaking his mind when he said that they do not know the way. He is talking on his own behalf and that of others. I like him for his honesty, pessimistic, and uninhibited. As many Christians would do today he did not suppress his feelings but he voiced his despair. In many ways he acted as peter to questions. cf 13:6, 36-37. Thomas was not ready to accept a state of permanent bewilderment. His question reveals a man who is confused in life and felt that its riddle were insolvable.

Jesus’ reply seem to put them in more confused stat. He claims to be three things at the same time, "I am the way the truth and the life” cf what God said to Moses in Deut.5:32-33. You shall walk in the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you. What did he mean? He was echoing Isaiah 30 21. He meant to tell them that he was what they didn’t know. He was the truth- see Ps 86:11- and he was the life. The writer of Proverbs said: "The commandment is a lamp and the teaching the light and the reproofs of disciple the way of life."

Thus there is one way of putting all this together. He said that no one comes to the Father except through him. He alone is the way to God. In him alone we see what God is like, and he alone can lead men into God’s presence without fear without shame. “Let not your hearts be troubled”

Illustration

I want to illustrate this with my own identification with maybe what the disciples were feeling at this time. One day I went to a new town and I had to ask for direction. The person that I asked was very familiar with the Geography of the area unlike me. What he said was something like this,” Take the first to the right, and the second to the left. Cross the square, go past the Park and the road you are looking for is the fourth on the right” I felt even more lost than before I asked. In my African background it were better if he said; “come I will show you.”

Have you been in a place that you have to relay on people for direction? Are there times you feel so uncertain of what is ahead of you and the options that you have are limited? The disciples of Jesus were in a worse situation than this. As discussed earlier, they were confused of what will happen now that the leader will be gone.

Application

Jesus is not willing to disband any that are his. He expect us to follow him as the way the truth and the life. Here he does not only advice us on the directions. He takes us by the hand and leads us; he strengthens us and guides us. Every day he is the way and the true to everyone. He does not tell us about the way, he is the way. Isn’t this encouragement to us, as it was to the disciples?

At the end of this chapter, Jesus is promising to send a helper to them, so that they continue with the work that he has been doing. However such expectations seem impossible since he was doing them on higher magnitude. But by the power of the promised Holy Spirit we see more converts who came to belief.

We see growth today in the church. Jesus expects that the church should become an instrument by which he could manifest his salvation to his people. How can the church of today become this instrument? By knowing the true way which is Jesus without whom no one can find the

Pastoral Care - A Case Study

Ida (not her real name) had been in the hospital four days when her mother asked the hospital chaplain to visit. Ida is 4 years old, a daughter of a single parent. She had respiratory problems and was struggling to breathe. After spending sleepless, disorienting days and nights at her daughter’s bedside, Monica (name changed) needed someone to talk to.

During this visit, I learned family members, friends and co-workers had come to visit Monica and her daughter, and they were great. Monica told me she really wanted them around, but she lamented that they didn’t understand the clinical language that defined her new existence and that of her daughter. Monica said the doctors and nurses were polite, efficient and professional by all means, but focused on their jobs.

I’m writing this column to explain the role of a hospital chaplain. Many patients and families of loved ones in a hospital think of a hospital chaplain only as a priest who delivers Last Rites when a person is dying. In fact, many times I have visited with patients who decline the visit, saying they are not dying.

At one point, I was making morning rounds in a regular medical unit when one of the patients asked whether I knew something she didn’t. She thought her prognosis was very poor and I was coming to prepare her for the worst news.

Of course, if you are religiously observant, a chaplain can offer you Communion, light Shabbat candles, read scriptures, provide anointing, among other religious Rites. A chaplain is someone whose job is to help patients, families and hospital staff find their place both emotionally and spiritually.

But chaplains are not just for religious folks, they’re for everybody. Since all humans are spiritual beings, regardless of their belief system, chaplains are for them all. “A chaplain is for people of faith and those of none,” source unknown.

Most of you reading this article know very well that being in hospital can be very isolating, probably having been in a hospital yourself or having a loved one in hospital as a patient. It is the role of a chaplains to come in and pull the curtains back in that dark room and help patient remember there is more to their life than being a patient. The chaplain does not necessarily visit to talk to the patients, but also to listen and empathize with them. As a chaplain, I find myself many times simply sitting and listening to patients narrates their stories.

Monica was in the best hospital, as she later told me. She had been seen by professional doctors and nurses who were very caring, but she observed that they had no time to listen to her. The chaplain is a safe person to talk to, someone with no agenda except the wellbeing of the patient, and who has time to listen. Chaplains are resources for all things: religious, spiritual, emotional, social, etc. While doctors and other staff might be able to fill some of those needs, chaplains are professionals in this area.

Because many people don’t know about chaplaincy services, or hesitate to call on a chaplain even if one is available, the service is under-used. Some of my duties are to help patients with Medical Power of Attorney, Directives to Physician, bedside prayer, serve Holy Communion, be a liaison between the patient and local community or churches, and so much more. Most patients decline this free service, thinking it costs.

When I arrived in Ida’s room, the visit just what her mother needed. Monica later told me she needed someone wearing normal clothes (not scrubs and lab coats), who sat with her and asked about Ida, listened to her story, and said a little healing prayer for Ida.

I later learned Monica was not a practicing Christian, yet she needed a chaplain to provide for her emotional and spiritual needs. During our visit, Monica was in tears, and finally she was able to express emotions.

It is my advice that, if you find yourself in the hospital as a patient or with a loved one as a patient, like Monica and Ida, why not asks the nurse if the chaplain can drop in on you. A little human contact might do you good — no religious beliefs required.