I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life

 “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6 (NLT)

Jesus dips the bread in the bowl. He turns to Judas Iscariot, looks him in the eye, and gives him the bread. Judas eats the bread, and then Satan enters him. Jesus tells him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” (John 13:27, NLT) Judas runs into the night.

As soon as Judas is gone, Jesus turns to His disciples. He says, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory…I will be with you only a little longer.” (John 13:31-34, NLT) The disciples are confused. Peter asks, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replies, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.” (John 13:36, NLT) The disciples aren’t sure what Jesus means. Jesus can see their confusion. His heart aches for them. Thomas says, “No, we don’t know, Lord. We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5, NLT)

Jesus, His eyes filled with compassion, looks at Thomas and says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, NLT)

Jesus said a lot of things that were controversial, but this perhaps topped them all. In this one statement, He both claims to be the Messiah, and tosses aside the religious structures of the day. All of the Jewish laws were out the window. Any other god that could be worshiped or you hoped would save you was gone. There was no longer a need for a high priest or for the sacrifice of animals. If what Jesus said was true, it would all be useless.

Jesus was hours from the cross and death. He sits with His disciples for a final meal. In these last hours, He tells them to not let their hearts be troubled, and to trust Him. Then, He tells them that there is one way, and it is Him. He is the only way to the Father. There is no alternate route. No other god will get you there. He is it. You would think by now that they would know this. They had seen the miracles. They had seen Him heal, and they had seen Him walk on water. Should there be any doubt that He was God? Yet, the disciples still have questions. Jesus is patient with them. He answers their questions, and then He promises that He will send His Spirit to guide them. Then he says, “Come, let’s be going.” In Greek it’s the word, egeiro̅. It means to arise. 

Where are they going? Jesus is going to the cross, to die. This is why He is the only way. He is the only one who has paid the price to redeem us. Blood represents life. His blood was shed, so that you could live. He is the only way to the Father. There is no other way.

We, like the disciples, have questions. We think that there can be another way. We think that if we are good enough, then we can earn our salvation. We feel as if we will be considered narrow minded to say that Jesus is the only way. What about other people’s gods, and their religion? We don’t want to be exclusive, especially in today’s society. 

Jesus makes it simple though. We aren’t left guessing about how to obtain salvation. It is actually quite inclusive too. He is the way, the truth, and the life. We just have to believe Him. We have to believe that He died for our sins, and that He conquered death. His death gives us eternal life. There is no other way. He graciously extends His hands to you, and bids you to follow Him. 

“There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.” 1 Corinthians 8:6 (NLT)

Scripture Reading: John 14