Just Ask
Our Gospel text today is probably very familiar to you, at least the first seven verses. Those verses are often read at funerals. An appropriate text since it talks about Jesus preparing a dwelling place for us in his father’s house. Many who hear this verse think about having a great mansion in heaven (influenced by the King James version. When the KJV was translated, “Mansion” did not mean an opulent house. Instead it meant a simple dwelling place. Hence the newer translations.) But thinking that is what it means may be a misreading of the text. Scholars debate the meaning of this based on several internal clues, in part, on what Jesus meant by saying when he returns. Did he mean in the second coming or after his resurrection? Did he mean you will be with him after you die, or now? In the end, the answer might be “C, All of the Above,” or not. It is just like John to leave the issue open to interpretation. We do have Thomas and Philip to help us out a bit here. Thomas asks the question all the other disciples were certainly thinking. By asking the question he was admitting that he did not understand, something the other disciples were unwilling to do. And Jesus’ answer is, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Which seems to say it is now, after the resurrection we dwell with Jesus. Jesus’ answer to Philip’s question seems to also say the same. That the disciples saw God by seeing Jesus. Which also seems to say those dwelling places are here and Jesus dwells with us in our present situation (and we certainly need Jesus with us these days).
While Jesus’ answers to Thomas and Philip does not completely answer their question, if they had not asked them we all would be much poorer in our faith and knowledge of Jesus and his call to us. Can you imagine never having heard that, “Jesus is the way, and the truth, and the life? And that Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Jesus? Yes, questions are important. Just think about your own life. How many times were you in a situation that got blown all out of proportion because you, or someone else, did not ask a question. Relationships are based on asking questions not on assuming. Relationships are built on open communication and not secret whispering. I cannot tell you how many times I have been involved with counseling couples whose problem stemmed from not asking a question about some situation. Sometimes, by the time they sought help, the problem was nearly insurmountable. Yes, we not only learn much about Jesus, our faith, and ourselves from these questions of Thomas and Philip but we also see how we are to work together in God’s kingdom.
That example reminds us that we begin by asking God in prayer. Questions that begin with why, when, or how. Questions to God that help us discern what we are called to do in the midst of our lives and within a world that is changing around us. Yes, how can we know the way if we do not begin each day with prayer, asking God what our task for the day will be, and then asking for the strength to do it. Yes called even to pray as Stephen did, asking God to forgive those who have harmed you. As Peter tells you, “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people.” And that for one purpose, “To proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Ask and you shall be witnesses to Jesus so that through you the world will know the dwelling place of God.
Christ is risen! Alleluia!