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

Life's yearning for completeness, abundance, and beauty is often challenged by issues like sickness, abuse, rejection, and more. Despite these challenges, there's a profound longing for greater meaning in life. When faced with difficulties, seeking a trustworthy counsellor can be beneficial. While counselling doesn't replace faith, it provides valuable insights. In marriage counselling, a skilled therapist delves into the past, helping couples rediscover the initial love that brought them together, especially during life's stresses.

Beginnings matter.


The start of our journey with God is significant, serving as a reminder of our past and offering guidance in times of feeling lost. Reflecting on early encounters with God is not mere nostalgia but a way to seek Him in the present. Close your eyes, ask God to bring one of those encounters to mind, and ponder how it impacted you. This exercise is about understanding what God is reminding you of today.

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love Ephesians 1:4 NKJV

God's love is not just a thought but a choice made before the world's creation, aiming for us to stand before Him, pure and unblemished. This love's roots trace back to the ancient story of the Garden of Eden. To grasp Jesus's teachings, we must revisit this tale's beginning. In understanding the broader scriptural context, we realize Jesus, the Word incarnate, is present from Genesis to Revelation. This goes beyond scholarly pursuits; these concepts connect with your life events. When Jesus declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," the Greek word for "truth" means "reality"—Jesus is reality, he is life itself.

In Genesis 2, God forms humans, breathes life into them, and establishes the Garden of Eden with significant trees—the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life. The garden, God's temple, signifies the overlap of heaven and earth. Created in two parts, humans unite in marriage. They receive one crucial rule: avoiding the Tree of Knowledge. To obey means access to dwell forever with God, it is a divine relationship with Him. It is always living in his house of love.

After choosing to disobey, Adam and Eve's concealment in the garden marked the onset of consequences. Deceived by the snake, they breached God’s boundaries. Despite blame-shifting, God, as all-knowing, chose to extend mercy and set in motion repercussions which we still experience today.

In Genesis 3, consequences unfolded as God intervened, clothing Adam and Eve in animal skins and removing them from Eden. The Tree of Life became off-limits, mercy evident in preventing eternal life in their fallen state. Death's entry affected all, sparking a universal yearning for the intended eternal dwelling with the Father. The Tree of Life, guarded by a fatal cherubim's sword, symbolizes the path back to Eden. Amidst the serpent's deception, God established a covenantal people, progressing His plan through the Nation of Israel, aiming to restore Eden's blessing to humanity.

In Exodus 25, God directed Moses to build a tabernacle mirroring Eden's layout. It comprised a courtyard, holy place, and holy of holies housing God's presence. Unlike in the past, access to God became restricted; only the high priest, risking his life, could enter. Cherubim-adorned curtains separated the holy place, and the Ark of the Covenant in the holy of holies featured cherubims, representing God's presence. The once serene garden stroll became a perilous journey, emphasizing the holiness of God's dwelling among His people.

Both Eden and the Tabernacle feature a central focus—Eden's Tree of Life and the Tabernacle's divine presence. Post-exile, guarded by cherubim, access changed. The Tabernacle symbolized God's dwelling but required preparation. The Cherubim signalled unfulfilled promises, a taste of future abundance. Over time, God's presence evolved— temple in Jerusalem mirrored Tabernacle but maintained limited access. The Father's house remained elusive, offering only glimpses, anticipating a fuller experience yet to unfold.

The tabernacle and temple, called "God's House," echo Eden's promise, reminding us of God's presence. Yet, a direct path is needed. Humanity requires an advocate for unhindered access to the Father's house. The snake's lies lead to death. God's plan shifts with the Incarnation—Jesus embodies God and man, bridging heaven and earth. His teachings and life pave the way for a transformed connection with the Father.

The garden was not meant to be perfection, it is the beginning of a promise. Ephesians 4:13-14 guides us, striving for unity in faith and knowledge of God's Son leads to spiritual maturity in Christ's standards. This shields us from being swayed by every new teaching. Maturing enables us to become all that God designed us to be.

Jesus, facing death, shared a final meal with the disciples. In John 13, he stunned them, announcing his departure after three years as their teacher. The news hit hard, akin to a painful breakup. Tension rose as Jesus foresaw betrayal, Peter's denial thrice, and impending abandonment—except for John, the author. Despite it all, God understands betrayal.

The theme of betrayal has been recurring from the fall of Lucifer to Adam and Eve's turning away from God. Jesus again experiences betrayal, rejection, and abandonment, reminding us that God is our ultimate comfort. God's presence heals the deepest wounds, granting freedom in the Father's house. Despite betrayals shaking us, God remains steadfast, comforting us in weakness, covering sins, guiding us to fulfillment. God's unchanging boundaries, exemplified in Eden, guide us toward life in its fullness. Forgiveness is urged, acknowledging consequences, yet God remains close, even when we struggle to approach Him.

In exploring God's revelations as "I am that I am," we grasp His absolute power in shaping reality. Sin enslaves while God's sinlessness gives Him unparalleled freedom and authority. Moving forward, Jesus comforts his followers, assuring them of a place in "my Father's house." His reference goes beyond a physical temple, emphasizing the importance of a personal relationship with God. Amidst misunderstandings, Jesus declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," and was reassuring his anxious disciples that they knew the way. Despite Jesus leaving, trusting in the Father opens a way to experience his promise.

John 14 discusses Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit unveiling the Father's intentions and extending an invitation for humanity to return home. Jesus is the ultimate high priest who laid down his life to open the gates of Eden and make a way for humanity to enter the Father's house. He passed through the sword of the cherubim and presented his own blood before the Father to secure our redemption forever. His sacrifice enables us to boldly enter the holy of holies, attaining God's divine life and presence. This fulfills the promise initiated in Eden, allowing us to dwell with Him once more.

Life's journey prompts the question, "Are we there yet?" Traditionally, home is seen as a physical place, providing comfort and security. However, maturity reveals that home is not a location but a person – Jesus. In Him, our hearts discover peace, rest, love, and safety, transcending any physical space. The choice is ours: trust the one who declared, "I am," and find our eternal home in Him.

The Garden of Eden was the start of God's promise. Jesus, expressing love since the beginning, paved the way for us to live in the promise, showing us how to live a genuine life by abiding in Him. He will send the Holy Spirit to help us remember everything we need to know. He readies rooms in His Father's house. Our deep longing finds satisfaction in Him alone. The genuine promise is accessible now by following Jesus—He is the way to experience Kingdom/Garden life through obedience.

Jesus embodies God's promise to live with us, transitioning from a place to a person. Through Jesus, we find true existence, free from silent suffering. His spirit renews us daily, offering hope despite outward challenges, reminding us to look to Him for salvation, transcending brokenness and distractions. As we focus on Him, our trials produce an eternal weight of glory, as what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.

The vision of hope and healing in Revelation 22:1-2 reveals to us a time when our ability to know God won't be limited by sin anymore. It's a beautiful vision of a crystal-clear river flowing from God's throne and a tree of life bearing healing leaves. Though the full garden awaits, this vision offers hope and healing. The desire for the Father's house can be experienced now through discipleship to Jesus. Similar to Eden, obedience to Jesus's teachings allows us to partake in the promised life. Trusting and obeying lead to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Remember that God’s boundaries point us to life. These are just a few examples.

- Forgiveness - forgive as you have been forgiven.

- Enemy Love - love those who hate you.

- Keep yourselves pure. (what we take in with our eyes, what we listen to, what we say, what we do with our bodies matters)

- Admitting you need help, I can’t do this.

- Practicing vulnerability in community.

- Praying for one another, The Father listens to the cries of his children, he has been doing that for ages.

Jesus invites you to a life of love with God, where the celebration never ends. The Father welcomes everyone, including those who have strayed. Since the beginning, Jesus has drawn us closer. Will you trust Him? Let Him minister to your heart and address any unhealed areas, trust issues, or limited expectations. As Jesus says, "Let not your heart be troubled." The promise is unfolding, and He is what everyone needs right now.