Easter 5A
May 7, 2023
Christ, Preston, MN
John 14.1-14
One of the spinoff TV shows from“Star Wars” pantheon is called “The Mandalorian.”, The title character is a bounty hunter, something of a loner from a group of displaced peoples. Mandalorians wear special armor called Beskar, virtually indestructible. Their armor includes a helmet that hides their face and they never take off because, as they say, “This is ‘The Way.’” The Mandalorians also cite a Creed that guides their behavior and way of life as they seek to follow “The Way.” Furthermore, whenever there’s a debate about what to do and a decision is made, after agreement they all chime in by saying, “This is ‘The Way.’”
Interestingly, the early followers of Jesus called themselves The Way long before being called Christians. The book of Acts tells us that they were given the name “Christian” by outsiders, but that they were known amongst themselves as “The Way.” This designation no doubt derives in part from Jesus’ words about himself from today’s Gospel in John 14. He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” words we hear quite often at funeral services, for good reason. So, here we have another “I am” saying we often encounter in John. Last week it was, “I am the Gate,” and by inference, “I am the Good Shepherd.” We remember that Jesus uses the “I am” sayings to denote a special relationship with God. “I am” is the name God uses with Moses in the desert when Moses asks God whom shall he say sent him when the people ask.
We may feel whiplash as we find ourselves back in John where we spent four weeks in Lent. Yet, there we looked at the texts as we prepared for Jesus’ crucifixion, but here we look at the texts through the lens of the resurrection. Perhaps this is a flashback that helps us to recall what he said to his followers before his crucifixion. On the night of his betrayal at the Last Supper, Jesus is preparing them for his absence. He assures them that he is not abandoning them as well as reminding them of the mission to love and bless the world.
We often think about Jesus’ statement in exclusive tones, that no one can get to heaven if they don’t confess that Jesus is their Lord and Savior. But as important as that is, I don’t think that’s what Jesus is saying here. First, though Jesus does talk about eternal life, he wants that assurance to give us life right now. Second, when Jesus says “I am the way” I think he is saying, “Walk the way that I walk.”
So, what does it mean to walk the way of Jesus? Well, he has given us some guidance earlier in chapter 13. This whole conversation, Jesus’ last words and marching orders to his followers takes 5 chapters in John’s Gospel. It is often called the Farewell Discourse. At the very beginning of this last night together, before they do anything else, Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. And as he does so, he gives them a “new” commandment, to love one another as he has loved them. In other words, the way of Jesus is the way of service.
As we think about this, we remember more "Ways of Jesus." We remember how he eats with the outcasts of society, “tax collectors and sinners.” We remember that he stands with the poor and marginalized who are oppressed by the powerful of the world. The way of Jesus welcomes little children, the least of these, into his arms as he treats them with respect. The way of Jesus tells us that true life is found by giving ourselves away for others, that we gain our lives when we lose them.
The Mandalorian people have broken into factions that interpret “The Way” differently. Part of the storyline involves understanding those differences and finding ways to be The Way together in spite of them. That’s part of the work of walking The Way of Jesus, so important during this transition time. There’s no better start than your own mission statement: “Love God, Love People, Follow Jesus.” This is the Way. Amen.
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