It seems we have incessant questions for God about what to do and where to go. Our common mistake is that we are mostly concerned with instructions and directions. But God rarely gives us a map, not even a good list. Jesus tried to explain this concept to his disciples but it was a hard one to grasp. He told them that he was going away for a little while but would return, and he said, “You know the way to where I am going.”1 But this distressed Thomas, who said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”2 To which Jesus answered, “I am the way.”3
Hmm. Although this sounds quite poetic, it is a bit vague. And I think the disciples probably nodded their heads, but in their minds, they were thinking, What does that mean? Thomas wanted to know where Jesus was going and how to get there. He wanted directions, and Philip probably nudged him and whispered, Ask Jesus for a map!
We are a stubborn bunch. We like lists, enjoy charts, love a good spread sheet, and need some kind of mission statement or three-year plan—any kind of plan, please! We continue to ask God for the details—where to go, what to do. I think it is because we like to record our progress. And so, because Philip needed further clarification, he asked, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”4 And with that statement, I think Jesus sighed because he replied, “Have I been with you so long and you still do not know me, Philip?”5 It truly makes so much sense to say that if we do not know Jesus, we are lost. We will never learn what to do with our lives until we know him. The way to go is always found through knowing Jesus. And while we request road maps, Jesus requires relationship.
But most of us love directions. Just tell us what to do, Jesus! Tell us where to go, Jesus! David also asked for directions. He records that “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.”6 And after seeing “the boundary lines,” he states “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.”7 So, “the path of life” which is a place of “fullness of joy” is found “in [God’s] presence,”! Therefore, God’s presence is our destination. It’s not a place; it’s a person.
How do we get to know the person of God? Jesus explained, “No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”8 The emphasis is on knowing Jesus. Not knowing how to get somewhere or even knowing how to do things, but knowing who is leading us and trusting him to get us wherever we need to be.
It was much later that Peter discovered what Jesus meant. He begins his second letter with this incredible insight: “His divine power has given us everything we need through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”9 It’s worth repeating—we have “everything thing we need through our knowledge of him.” Our knowledge of Jesus is the key. But Peter does give a great list of things to work on, so for those of you who like a good chart, read 2 Peter 1:3-11.
Jesus, however, always focused on the relationship. He told the disciples, “But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”10 God lives inside us! And, “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.”11 Finally! A curriculum! The Holy Spirit (who is our advocate, our supporter, our encourager, our counselor and friend) will “teach you all things.” What this means is that we really need to be in tune with the Holy Spirit, the spirit of God himself, who lives in our hearts. And as we listen for God to speak to us, he will! And he will show us the way to go!
1John 14:4 2John 14:5 3John 14:6 4John 14:8 5John 14:9 6Psalm 16:5 7Psalm 16:1 8John 14:7 92 Peter 1:3 10John 14:17 11John 14:26
