John 14:1-7
Perhaps it is a peculiarity of Christian denominations that the phrase No one comes to the Father except through me carries more weight than words found in the very same reading that says In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places.
Once that first line is accepted, it becomes the lens for all that follows. That is, arrogance, self righteousness and indignance that any one should question an idea or person outside the officially saved realm. Indeed, the vision of the officially accepted becomes the lens for official conversion, repentance and salvation. No other views need apply. It all becomes self perpetuating and self supporting.
I ran across the following drawing on FaceBook the other day and posted a comment that someone should forward it to the local Roman Bishop. Said Bishop had accused me not too long ago of "attempting to marry another gentlemen". From his view and belief my soul was in danger by attempting such a "union".
I would note that I not only attempted it but had in fact succeeded. Not only was ours a legal success but it also was consecrated in a ritual ceremony rich in both Jewish and Christian tradition. Yes, I had even married a "nice Jewish boy".
My only further comment, had I felt a need to reply, was that not only was I not in danger from attempting such a "union" but no repentance or redemption was required (outside of those normally associated with humans ).
One of joys of getting older is having the wisdom to see the true importance of this passage is the sentence about God having many dwelling places. To my mind, Jesus' life was a constant example of showing us just how wide God's love is, embracing all sorts of people that the power holders of the day seemed to think were not worthy, doomed and needed redemption. Alas the true message of Jesus and of God's abiding love is still lost in rules, theology,righteousness, power, rhetoric, purity and clubs.
One of the joys of being separated from the (Roman) church is the freedom to challenge and see that they are in fact, not "all that". Any system that is self perpetuating by it's own 'powerful' design and depends on myopic views and circular logic cannot be a true vision of God's love. I can see that now. Perhaps I always did and hoped there was room for internal dissension and questions. It isn't true. there is no room for anything in Rome but arrogance, self righteousness and hypocrisy of the highest order.
We can look at Jesus as a rebel, we can emulate his anti-authority stances, his penchant for deriding and chastising the religious leaders and for his warm and wide embrace to all of the marginalized and sinners of his day. However, the best and most extraordinary way to be a Christian is to embrace and love all those margins, include everyone and see that everyone has a valid perspective, something to bring to the table if you will. There are many paths and there may be one gate, but that gate is incredibly wide and there is enough room for everyone. There is a room for everyone.
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 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? 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. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’
