Thursday after Ash Wednesday

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 had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” — John 14:6–7

Christ Jesus is the Son of God. God is His Father. He is also true God in the mystery of the Trinity. These words were spoken by Jesus to His disciples on the first Maundy Thursday, the night when He was betrayed. Here He gladly teaches His disciples the way to the Father.

Christ Jesus is the way. In fact, the whole Gospel of John lays out this fact, that to know or see the Father you need only look at the Son. Through the Son we have such access to the Father. This is very important in our prayers. This access of course came at a price – the death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus has made it possible for you to come to the Father. He has made it possible to know the Father. He has made it possible to see the Father. This is because knowing and seeing Jesus is knowing and seeing the Father.

Throughout this devotional we are going to see examples of prayer from our Lord’s Passion accounts. This is the first account, where our Lord Jesus Christ is teaching the introduction of the Lord’s Prayer to the disciples. He says plainly to them: “you do know him and have seen him”. This is a sure statement and promise from our Lord. This fact can encourage you in your prayers. Jesus says the Father is your Father. When you pray to the Father, it is as certain as Jesus Christ says. He has bled and died to give you access and provides you His Word to encourage your prayers. All while He Himself was approaching His own crucifixion. Such is the love of Jesus for you.

Dear Father in heaven, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus so that we may not only pray to You but also that we may know you. Amen.