1 DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.
2
In My Father's house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were
not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place
for you.
3
And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back
again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.
4 And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way.
5 Thomas said to Him, Lord, we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?
6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.
7
If you had known Me [had learned to recognize Me], you would also have
known My Father. From now on, you know Him and have seen Him.
8 Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father [cause us to see the Father–that is all we ask]; then we shall be satisfied.
9 Jesus replied, Have I been with all of you for so long a time, and do you not recognize and know Me yet, Philip? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say then, Show us the Father?
10
Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in
Me? What I am telling you I do not say on My own authority and of My own accord; but the Father Who lives continually in Me does the (His) works (His own miracles, deeds of power).
11
Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me; or else
believe Me for the sake of the [very] works themselves. [If you cannot
trust Me, at least let these works that I do in My Father's name
convince you.]
12
I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes
in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will
do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.
Devotional
IS JESUS EXCLUSIVE? I once saw Billy Graham's daughter Anne Graham Lotz on a popular news talk program. The interviewer asked, "Are you one of those who believe that Jesus is exclusively the only way to heaven?" He added, "You know how mad that makes people these days!" Without blinking she replied, "Jesus is not exclusive. He died so that anyone could come to Him for salvation."What a great response! Christianity is not an exclusive club limited to an elite few who fit the perfect profile. Everyone is welcome regardless of color, class, or clout.
In spite of this wonderful reality, Christ's claim in John 14:6 to be the only way to God continues to offend. Yet Jesus is the only way; the only option that works. All of us are guilty before God. We are sinners and cannot help ourselves. Our sin had to be dealt with. Jesus, as God in the flesh, died to pay the penalty for our sins and then rose from the dead. No other religious leader offers what Jesus provides in His victory over sin and death.
The gospel of Christ is offensive to some, but it is the wonderful truth that God loves us enough to come and take care of our biggest problem...sin. And as long as sin is the problem, the world needs Jesus! -Joe Stowell
Embrace the good news: Jesus is a nonexclusive Savior.
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