The “Way”

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Seventh Sunday After Pascha 

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This is Jesus’s final sermon and prayer to his disciples before his arrest, trial, and crucifixion.

Jesus speaks about how he has shown God’s glory on earth and how he has instructed his followers to walk according to God’s teaching.

This teaching isn’t knowledge “about” God, but rather, it’s a teaching “from” God.

In other words, it’s not abstract head knowledge.

It’s the instruction to love God and neighbor, and, when Jesus does this by going to cross, he shows us the this is the “Way” to salvation.

This is what love is about, and it’s how God’s glory is revealed.

Scripture: John 17:1-14 (click here to read)

Bottom Line: By following the “Way” Jesus shows us, we too are on the path to salvation.

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Discussion Questions

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1. For extra liturgical points, other than on this Sunday, when is this passage read in the church year? What’s the significance of it being read then?
2. Jesus says his given us God’s message and the world has hated us. What examples of that do you see in the world? If we follow Christ’s example, how are we to respond?
3. God’s glory is the image of the crucified Christ. What does that mean to you? What example does it show you? How might you imitate Jesus in this way?
4. Jesus prays that we are one as he and the Father are one? What does “oneness” with others mean to you? How is that lived out (or not lived out) in your church community? in your town? at work or school? How might we preserve our oneness with each other? 

Moving Forward

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A part of “faith” is trusting that the “Way” given to us—even if it leads to death—is the true way to eternal salvation.

It means living a Christian life, even when it’s hard and more challenging to live this way.

But, because Jesus rose from the dead, we know that this “Way” is true and we too will be raised from the dead.

Changing Your Mind

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“Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.” (John 17:7-8 NRSV)