A Way of Life

Rebecca Sheridan
Sunday, May 3, 2026
John 14:1-14

    When we hear Jesus say, “I am the way,” a few things immediately come to my mind:  Burger King’s slogan, “Have it your way,”  Frank Sinatra’s song, “I did it my way,” Journey’s song, “Any Way You Want It,” and so on.  We might think also about John the Baptist’s call at the beginning of the gospels to “prepare the way of the Lord.”  There’s the way that the world offers – choosing to have things “our way,” with a strong emphasis on my personal choice being how I deserve to have things, and then there’s Jesus’ call to us to follow him along his way, which is more difficult. It is counter-cultural.  It requires giving up some of our own desires.  Yet, Jesus encourages us, in following him along the way, he is the truth and the life.  Jesus’ way, is the true way of life filled with all kinds of blessings, when we strive on this journey of following him.
    As you may be aware, today’s gospel from John 14 is well-known to many of us, because it is the most common gospel passage used at funerals.  We probably most often think of Jesus as the way to heaven.  It is a great comfort to know that Jesus goes to prepare a place for us in the Father’s house, as we talked about in our children’s sermon, and that wherever Jesus is, there we are also, as believers.  However, Jesus “the way,” has great significance for our lives today.  Trusting that Jesus is the way is not only knowing that we get to go to heaven when we die, but gets us thinking about what it means to call ourselves Christians or Jesus-followers today.  How do we want to be in the world?  How is Jesus calling us to live, right now, today?
    In fact, one of the oldest descriptions of the new religion of Christianity was simply “The Way.”  Early Christians referred to themselves as Followers of the Way.  Maybe some of you have or remember that particular Bible from the 1970s called “The Way” Bible.  When we think about what makes a Christian a Christian, what would you say?  Hopefully, you have a few ideas.  From our baptismal promises, we can identify a few “marks” of a Christian:  regular worship of God – hearing the Word of God and sharing in the Lord’s Supper.  Connection to and involvement with a faith community that supports one another beyond ourselves.  Giving of our time, talents, and financial resources to support not just our church but missions beyond our church (seeing the church as part of a larger big “C” Church).  Sharing our faith through service and relationships in the community, especially with people who are not Christian.  And the most difficult one – striving for justice and peace in all the earth…not being satisfied with the sinful world as it is, but believing that this Christian way and our faith in Christ can actually make this world a better place.
    Our scripture readings for today also give us insight into what this way of Christ includes – from Proverbs, we look to God for wisdom and guidance, avoiding evil and violence.  Our reading from 1 Peter encourages us to think of ourselves as the church which God is building into living stones, relying on Christ the cornerstone.  Peter encourages us to grow in faith from the spiritual milk to solid food.  We are to see ourselves as God’s people, which includes receiving and extending the mercy of God.  
    Then we turn to our gospel.  In the midst of Christ encouraging the disciples that he is the way, the truth, and the life, both Philip and Thomas have questions.  I hope you are encouraged knowing that Jesus’ closest disciples still had questions and needed clarification.  They walked with him for three years, yet did not always understand what Jesus was talking about.  “How can we know the way?” Thomas is worried.  “Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied,” Philip tells Jesus.  “I am the way,” Jesus says. If you know me, you know the Father and you know the way.  Jesus is right there in front of them – the way, the truth and the life.  This is truly the good news of God for us – that Jesus actually never abandons or forsakes us, that Jesus walks with us along our life journeys, and that even when we struggle to discern what God’s will is or which way we should go next, wherever we go, there Jesus is, also.
By acknowledging Jesus as “the way,” we strive to do God’s will and not our own – life is not about having things our way, contrary to what some of those songs tell us.  We may have an inkling of God’s will and way, but like Philip, Thomas and the other first disciples, we certainly do not a full picture of what God is up to in the world and in our lives. Jesus encourages us to trust him even though we don’t have all of the answers.  He is right here with us, in front of us, to lead us at least in the next step, no matter how murky the future journey.  And so following Jesus our way, our truth, and our life, may mean simply putting our trust in him one day at a time, as the beloved folks of Alcoholics Anonymous remind us to do.  One day at a time, let us seek to follow him, live out our faith, and trust that Christ’s way is the best way.  Amen.