“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” – John 14:6

“Are you sure about the definite article?”

That was the question I was asked during my ordination examination. In my statement of faith, I quoted John 14:6, and the problem one of the examiners had regarding my statement of faith was the definite article.

“Are you sure you don’t want to change it to an indefinite article ‘a’?”

At which point I wanted to blurt out, “You do know this is a direct quotation of Jesus in the Scriptures?” but I decided to be cordial and just replied, “Absolutely, unequivocally certain that the definite article stays.”

“The.”

Who knew such a tiny word to cause such a stir. But this definite article makes all the difference in the world. And that’s the problem so many people have with Jesus.

Few people have problems with Jesus who is a way, truth, and life. Few people will argue with the historical impact for good that Jesus has made in our world.

The issue is with that tiny word – THE.

THE changes everything.

No matter what we are facing in the world, Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the world precisely because Jesus is THE way, THE truth, and THE life. No one comes to the Father except through him.

There is no other pathway to salvation and eternal life. This is the Jesus our world needs more than ever!

“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26

Do you believe this?

We’ve all been saying that a lot these days. We are living in unprecedented times.

The context for when Jesus asked this question is different than our times. Jesus was told that his friend Lazarus was dying. Jesus was less than two miles away from Bethany where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived. Two miles! That’s a leisurely hour walk. Yet, we are told that Jesus remained where he was for two more days!!!

By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. When Martha heard that Jesus had come to Bethany, she runs out to meet him and tells him that her brother would not have died had Jesus come when he was summoned for. That’s when Jesus tells Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Soon after this conversation with Martha, Jesus calls Lazarus from the tomb and Lazarus comes walking out.

Do you believe this?

The reason why Jesus remained behind even after he was told of the impending death of Lazarus, Jesus tells his disciples, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4).

The Lazarus event was to show the world that Jesus is the Son of God and that his death and resurrection ushers in eternal life for all who believe in him.

Do you believe this?

Jesus offers eternal life for all who believe in him. Death loses its sting because of the Lord of the resurrection!

Do you believe this?

God loves you. God could not imagine an eternity that didn’t include you in it. So God made a way through his Son Jesus Christ for us to be forgiven of our sins and live forever in God’s presence.

And the most important question facing us today in the midst of this Covid-19 pandemic is, “Do you believe this?”

This is the only question that matters.

Put your trust and life in Jesus and never fear death again.

Do you believe this?

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” – John 10:11

So much of the gospel is counter-intuitive.

• “So the last shall be first, and the first will be last” – Matthew 20:16
• “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God” – Matthew 5:3
• “Those who love their life will lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life” – John 12:25

These are just the tip of the iceberg.

No better example of the counter-intuitiveness of the gospels than today’s “I Am” statement: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Under every other circumstance, if the shepherd dies the sheep are toast. It is absolutely necessary for the shepherd to be alive for the sheep to have any chance in this dangerous world. Dead shepherd equals defenseless and soon to be eaten dead sheep.

But not so when we’re talking about “the Good Shepherd.” Because, you see, his death is our gain. It is through his death and resurrection that we are forgiven and given eternal life.

God has an amazing way of taking that which seems frightening and terrible and make it amazing and life-giving. Watch. Things are already happening all around us where the goodness of God is being revealed in this Covid-19 Pandemic. Neighbors mowing lawns, baking cookies for those sheltering, getting groceries, picking up prescriptions, and buying scotch for their pastor!

These things and many other deeds of kindness and generosity is happening all around us.

The darkness cannot overcome the Light.

When you are the Creator God, when you are the great “I Am”, you do things like this. That’s what the good and awesome God does.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Amen! Thank you, Jesus!