As Holy Week rapidly approaches over the coming days, I’ve been thinking more intently about my relationship with God and what Jesus did to solidify that connection. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus spent countless hours instructing His disciples on His relationship and spiritual connection with God the Father. Nevertheless, from reading John 14, most of the disciples were still confused and could not comprehend how God was in Jesus and Jesus was in God. It was a “mind-blowing” concept for sure.
So perhaps to finally set them straight and alleviate their confusion about knowing the way to the Father, Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” In essence, Jesus was telling them that the only way to the Father was through Him. Thus, knowing Him meant they also knew the Father as Jesus expressed it in John 14:10-11. I can only imagine Jesus possibly saying, “So now Thomas, Phillip, and the rest of you, are there any more questions? If not, then take up your cross and follow me and you will find the Father.”
What does this Scripture passage mean to you? To me, John’s gospel illustrates that Jesus is the conduit that connects my life with God that leads to everlasting life. Jesus is the perpetual advocate with the Father to intercede on our behalf. As God and man, Jesus fully understands our weaknesses, temptations, and faults; so being sinless, He is the only “go-between” who can speak to God directly on our behalf. No one else qualifies.
This holy and eternal conduit serves as the means for a constant ebb and flow, back and forth, between God and His children on earth. Wrapping my mind around this fact is fundamental to my belief in God. But even more mysterious to me is how God uses the Holy Spirit as a living fluid that maintains and sustains the life between God and us as it flows through Jesus. I believe this is the same spiritual living water Jesus described to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:10-13 that will become a spring to eternal life.
Perhaps that is why prayer is most important. I see prayer as a vital component of the Holy Spirit’s living water flowing through the “Jesus conduit”, back and forth between God and us, keeping our soul’s connection with God alive. Staying closer to God via prayer would also help us concentrate our focus on Him and not this world. This is ever so important in today’s world where temptations, worries, fears, and anxieties try to creep into our lives from many different angles. Satan enjoys taking advantage of our circumstances and fears to distract us from our focus on God and trusting Him.
Adopting a daily prayer routine could produce a conditioned or even a natural reflex to changes in our everyday life circumstances. Instead of turning to fear and worry when circumstances change, we can immediately and instinctively turn to God through prayer, seeking His guidance, support, and relief from the situation. We can use that new natural reflex to stay in constant contact with God through His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our focus would then remain on God, listening to the inspirations He gives us, and then taking action based on our trust and faith in Him. He will be our expert guide through the tough times if we surrender our will and let Him take the lead. “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” (2 Samuel 22:33)
So my friends in Christ, for Easter and beyond, let us all adopt a new natural reflex by praying without ceasing, in order to maintain our closeness with God who is always there waiting for our prayers to reflect our dependence on Him and trust in His guidance. He will never abandon or forsake us. So let’s take advantage of the opportunity He gives us through His unlimited grace, mercy, and love to keep the conversation going through His Son, Jesus, our conduit to everlasting life.
Live, Learn, Love, and Grow in Jesus!!
Blessings,
Jerry
