Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, John 14:1-14, and 1 Peter 2:2-10
Thanks to your consideration, I was able to have a safe trip to Korea last month. Thank you. Spending a lot of time with my parents allowed me to realize the importance of family again. I thank God for giving us the gift of family.
Today’s readings help us to meditate on Jesus Christ and the life of God’s people. Today’s Gospel of John is set after events such as Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the various attempts to kill Him, the prediction of His death, Judas’ betrayal, Peter’s denial, and the washing of His disciples’ feet. At that time, the disciples were very worried amidst various anxious and urgent situations. However, Jesus comforted his disciples. He says that even if I die, I am going to prepare places for you. And that in the future, you too will dwell with me where I am. The disciples could not immediately understand Jesus’ words amidst anxiety and worry. However, Jesus answers Thomas’s question as follows. “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” It is a very bold and declarative expression. Jesus, who was speaking these words, was also filled with anxiety and worry. However, Jesus comforts the disciples with steadfast faith in God.
He is the way, the truth, and the life toward God. Jesus is the way and the method toward God. Through Him, we can pray, know the truth, and obtain eternal life. With Him, we can know the nature of God and His deep love. From verse 10, we can learn about the doctrine of the Trinity. “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?” We learn the concept of Perichoresis, which states that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. What does Perichoresis mean? Perichoresis in Christian theology refers to the mutual interpenetration and indwelling of the Father and the Son. We believe this. We believe in God’s love shown through Jesus. We believe in the boundless love of God the Father who sent Jesus. Therefore, we believe in God’s presence in Jesus. We believe in the miracles and ministry shown through Jesus. We also believe in the promise that He will answer when we ask in the name of Jesus. Therefore, I hope that we all walk together with Jesus, who has become the way and the bridge toward God, upon this faith. By believing in Jesus, we hope that we, as His disciples, will do today what He did in the past.
Lastly, the Apostle Paul gives us an identity as the people of God. This is 1 Peter verse 9. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” We are chosen people. And we are the people who responded to that choice. Two thousand years ago, Jesus came into the world and invited many Jews, including the Pharisees and Scribes, to a new life. However, not many people responded to that. Even among the disciples, many betrayed Jesus in the days leading up to his crucifixion. Therefore, we must all share this gospel with our families and neighbours. I was chosen, and my family was invited as well. And we must encourage our friends to live as people of a holy nation. This work is not easy, and sometimes it can be embarrassing. The results may not be dramatic compared to the time invested. However, we must remember. Right now, we are merely sowing the seeds of the gospel. Now is the season to sow the seeds of it in this land, and the harvest may come 30 or 60 years from now. One thing is certain: the time of harvest will surely come. The history of the Christian gospel began 2,000 years ago with a single grain of good news falling to the ground. That has given us the gift of assurance of heaven and the hope of resurrection today. Let us live as God’s holy people this week as well. Remembering God’s grace and mercy given to us, I hope you abide in the truth. Amen.