Homily Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A
St. Luke’s, Burnt River, Christ Church, Bobcaygeon
Jesus had much to teach his disciples in what are referred to as the “Farewell Discourses” in John’s Gospel.
This was the first time we are told what he taught them just before Calvary and the Cross.
But sadly some people have misinterpreted the words of Jesus. Take for example Jesus famous “I am” statement. He says: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to my Father except through me.”
Some have interpreted this to mean anyone who is not a Christian is doomed to hell, or separation from God; anyone who follows Islam, Buddhism or any other faith.
My own feeling and the teaching of our church is that this kind of literal approach doesn’t work.
I came across this story about Billy Graham, one of the world’s great evangelists, who was asked about this text when he spoke to students at Harvard University.
An earnest Christian student asked a pointed question: “Since Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no-one comes to the Father except through me, doesn’t that mean people from others religions are going to hell.?”
Dr. Graham replied: “I’m sure glad God is the judge’s of people’s hearts and not me. I trust God to decide these questions justly and mercifully.”
The student was disappointed not to have a clear cut answer and pressed further. “Well, what do you think God will decide?”
Dr. Graham responded: “Well, God doesn’t really ask my advice on these matters.”
Another questioner asked: “What about those who aren’t even monotheists like Buddhists?
Dr. Graham replied: “You know I have been to many Buddhist countries and so many of the people I’ve met seem to live more like Jesus than many Christians I’ve seen.”
The reason I offer this story is to indicate how complex this whole matter of faith and eternal life is. There is not some simple formula, like the four way test in Rotary, or the famous “do you accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior?”
The invitation to follow Jesus as the way, the truth and the life is not exclusive. We are not joining a club, where there is a password to get in. Our Christian faith is not meant to be only for the elite few who really understand the Gospel.
Instead, its an open invitation, open to all. We can hold to the truth of our beliefs without negating the beliefs of others, or consigning to the eternal fires of hell if they don’t join us.
Jesus message in the Gospel passage, which expresses his care for all humanity is “do not let your hearts be troubled.”
This passage is often used at funerals. That seems fitting because as he taught Jesus was anticipating his own death, and the death of a ministry with the disciples, which would continue in a different way…with Jesus present through the Holy Spirit, the comforter.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.” That is something we find difficult in many instances. We worry about our health, our jobs, our financial well-being, our children, our communities, our family life, our parents. We find there is much in the world that troubles us. Just turn on a newscast.
Jesus asks us instead of allowing our troubles to overcome us, to trust in Him, in God, in the Holy Spirit.
Think of how often we put our trust in others and are disappointed…in businesses, in governments, in professionals, in institutions of all kinds.
The only sure trust is in God. However an attitude of trust does not necessarily mean we will get what we want, expect, or even deserve.
God’s grace is with us whatever the outcome. This most often arises in case of health. I remember visiting an elderly woman in hospital who had rheumatoid arthritis. She was in almost constant pain even with medication.
I prayed with her and also tried to reassure her that God is not punishing her, and she had done nothing to deserve this painful disease. Instead, God is suffering with her, as she endures an undeserved and difficult illness.
When we have faith, and trust in God’s grace, it doesn’t necessarily take the pain away, but it does allow us to carry on. What may have been hurting that woman in hospital was the idea that somehow she had some something wrong, and now had to suffer for it.
Depression is anger and pain turned inward on oneself, so the message of Jesus, not to let our hearts be troubled, and to trust in Him is one of consolation.
We are challenged as Christians to minister to the troubled hearts of the world, not only in our midst but in our wider communities.
We can become, the way, the truth, and the life, as we live out our Christian faith, and try to follow the teachings of Jesus.
The true mark of the Christian life, is to reflect something of the quality of Jesus in our own lives.
That may seem a tall order. But look at what happened to those twelve disciples and the other men and women who were early followers of Jesus. They were ordinary people, peasants in that more feudal agrarian economy.
Christianity began as a religion of the lower classes. They shared all in common and met in private homes. We live in a very different context with so many layers of history, and changes in the past two thousand years.
What we can learn from those early Christians is an attitude of passion and dedication to spreading the Gospel that is as much needed in our affluent North American culture, as it was in the days of the Roman Empire.
