Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Details are important to us. So we can sympathise with the disciples in John 14. Jesus is talking about going ahead of them to the Father to prepare a place for them. Despite His assurances that He’ll return for them and take them to Himself, the disciples get a bit antsy. Thomas says, “Lord, we do not know where You are going. How can we know the way?” Philip adds, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” They’re not asking for much, really, just a few details – a road map, a high-definition photograph, a colour brochure – anything! And what is Jesus’ reply? “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” In other words, “Keep your eyes on the road!”

In the hours and days that follow this scene, Jesus fulfils the meaning of “truth” and turns this world’s understanding of “life” on its head! The disciples are there to see it all. No doubt, they would have preferred the road map or the detailed how-to list rather than the suffering and death of their beloved Teacher. We sure would.

It’s tempting for us to think that Christian lives ought to be predictably free from struggle, sickness and sin. It seems like it would be quite reasonable for God to give us a ten-step self-help plan for curing our separation from Him. But Christian life is rarely a cake-walk, and we’ve failed at our ten-step plan before we’ve even begun. If we’re honest, we realise we can’t even handle the details we’ve been given.

Jesus’ words to his disciples are for us too. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” The details of our future – in this world and the next – may seem a bit hazy to us, but we are not without glimpses and landmarks, as it were. In God’s Word and in His Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion we are joined to Christ’s Death and Resurrection. They point us to the Way – to Jesus Christ. We have been eternally restored to our Father by the forgiveness of our sins won in Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. We keep our eyes on the road – on Him.

Prayer: God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Often our futures seem unclear, and we are bewildered by the changes and chances of life. Despite our preoccupation with details, we often see our good intentions marred by sin. Please forgive us, and through Your Word and Sacraments keep our eyes of faith firmly focused on Jesus. By His keeping every detail of the law, You have saved us. By His suffering and death, bridge our separation from You and by His resurrection give us sure hope in Life Everlasting with You, Amen.