the way to the Father

I recently finished reading the book of Luke, so this morning I didn't know where to go next. John is the next book - so I went there but went straight to chapter 14. There is just something about chapters 14-17 that draw me in again and again. There is so much intimacy spoken here.

1“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Jesus wants us with Him. He came to get us and tell us this. I love how Thomas doesn't get it. I probably wouldn't have either. I have the benefit of getting to read it over and over again. Jesus says they know the way to where He is going … and Thomas says - 'um Jesus - no we don't. We don't know the way or where the heck you're going.' Where is Jesus going? To the Father. How do we get there? Through Jesus. He is THE way … THE truth … THE life. If we want to get to the Father - we must go through Jesus - we must believe. We must know that He is the truth - the only truth. We must know and believe that HE is what leads to life … nothing else leads to life … ONLY Jesus.

If Jesus wants ME with Him … then He will come back and get me. He will rescue. My job is to believe…. to remember that He is the way, truth and life. I can't get them anywhere else. And if I want to know the Father I go through Jesus. I can see the Father in Jesus.

I find myself asking 'why do I want the Father?' Not because I don't want Him but because I want to know WHY I want Him.

Is it because I want to feel good again? Because I do. But is there more? What benefit is there in knowing the Father? I can think of lots of ways knowing Him benefits me … salvation, I don't have to go to Hell and instead get to go to heaven, He has granted me existence, He gives me good gifts… Those and so much more are wonderful BUT why is KNOWING the Father good?

I think about Adam and Eve getting to walk with God in the cool of the day. They got to be with God in such an easy and intimate way. They got to walk and chat in the garden learning from him about the plants and flowers and animals. They got to enjoy Him in peace and quiet. Their hearts at peace too. They KNEW their Creator. They met with his goodness. They felt His love. They felt His touch. They knew His heart. They heard his thoughts spoken out loud. Amazing.

Think of this … what if your had a really awesome relationship with your earthly Dad? What if when you were with him … all you felt was love. Acceptance. Peace. You got to ask all your questions. No barriers in the way - he actually answers you - and you have an amazing conversation like none other you have had in your life. You walk away getting him - understanding why he made the choices he did. You can finally see into his heart and he into yours. Nothing is hidden and your exposure doesn't make you ache with regret afterwards, but instead makes you long for more. Has this ever happened to anyone? I know it hasn't for me …

Knowing the Father means knowing HOME. This is what we were made for. And when we KNOW Him like this the worship that will pour out of us will be beyond words. Real life. Real living truth.