The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Sunday, 12 January 2014 - “The Quickest Road” Read John - Jesus the Way to the Father 14

The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Sunday, 12 January 2014 - “The Quickest Road” Read John - Jesus the Way to the Father

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe[a] in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?[b] 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.”[c] 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. 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 through me. 7 If you know me, you will know[d] my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Footnotes:

a. John 14:1 Or You believe

b. John 14:2 Or If it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you

c. John 14:4 Other ancient authorities read Where I am going you know, and the way you know

d. John 14:7 Other ancient authorities read If you had known me, you would have known

Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 (CEB))

For some time I had heard people speak of a group of elephant seals that live off the coast near my home. Worldwide, these seals are few in number, so I decided to take a road trip to see them. I left home and soon began to follow the signs for the route I should take. However, after a while I felt I was going the wrong way. Continuing on a bit more, I saw another sign, showing a different route. Moving along that road, I saw a service station and stopped to fill the tank with gas. While I was there, the owner told me of another, shorter route. It was a dirt road, the owner said, but he promised I would arrive at my destination more quickly. It turned out to be true. That excursion made me think about the many routes we choose to get closer to the Lord. I have found that the surest and quickest route to God is through Bible study and a commitment to obeying the truths we find there. Such faith in God’s guidance allows us to see the path we need to take. Then at the end of our spiritual journey, the Lord will joyfully welcome us with open arms. (The Author-Luis Alberto Jones (Chubut, Argentina))

Thought for the Day: Go to devotional.upperroom.org/blog for a link to pictures of elephant seals.

Prayer: Dear Lord, direct our steps on the path that leads to you. Amen.

Prayer focus: Highway construction workers

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