Jesus Is The Way Series

Tonight’s passage is nothing new to a Christian. It almost sounds repetitious. But it is a good reminder to us all. So, let’s be reminded. READ PASSAGE

The idea of the Way is something I can remember growing up with. Throughout my life, I have heard the phrase. Churches have banners with the phrase “Jesus is the Way.” We all took this to mean following Jesus. But it was never quite explained that way. Tonight, we’re going to take a closer look at John 14: 4-7 at what Jesus meant by the way and what it should be saying to us today. The way is not something from long ago, it’s something that lives today.

The idea of Jesus being “the way” needs to be looked at by looking at what the Greek behind it says. Every language has its figures of speech that it uses to explain things. But, translated directly, they don’t mean the same thing. For example, in English, we have an expression called a “baker’s dozen.” This isn’t a reference to 12 of something owned by a baker. Instead, this is a reference to the number 13.

Someone who speaks a different language might not understand this expression this way. They may wonder what baked goods have to do with the #13. These simple phrases can be misunderstood if translated directly. Instead, you have to understand the figures of speech as well as the language.

In John 14:6, we find a figure of speech in the Greek. But this doesn’t translate into English very well. This passage in the NKJV reads: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” However, other English versions read “I am the way AND the truth and the life.” In English, the extra AND doesn’t seem to add anything. It seems redundant. But this is not the case in the Greek.

There is an expression in Greek which involved this phrase. The way, truth and life are not co-equal terms. Instead, truth and life describe what the way is. The Concordia Study Bible says it this way “I am the way [to the father] in that I am the truth and the life.” The difference is subtle, but it is there all the same.

The question then becomes, what is the way that Jesus talks about? The literal definition of the word “way” is a path, a road, or even a journey. It’s a means of getting from one place to another. It is the method we need to travel to get from one point in our lives to another.

By nature, we are sinful people who know how to do wrong. Jesus is the example that is “the way” that we must follow. It is the decisions that we make and the direction that our lives take. In all respects, it is the road that we follow through our own lives. We have the capability to decide what we will do and what we won’t do. We have the opportunity to follow Christ, or to follow our own desires.

The Way of Jesus is true. Jesus is the way; He is the Christ. There is only one true way to the Father. Jesus is that way. The way of Jesus was set in motion as early as Genesis 3:15 in the Garden of Eden. READ Gen. 3:15.

In case you are wondering, let me explain. In these words, the reader learns that the man and woman will not join the serpent but will side with God against him as their lives continue. They will have seed. Then the verse concludes promising a head wound to the serpent and a heel wound to the seed of the woman. Not only is Eve going to start to hate Satan and love God, but children born to Adam and Eve, a redeemed humanity, will also hate Satan. Not only has Satan not permanently captured Adam and Eve, but he hasn't permanently captured humanity either. Jesus is ultimately the answer.

Anyone would not plan for all the torture that Jesus went through unless there was a real reason behind it all. It was the plan of salvation that Jesus fulfilled. He did this to show us how and why to live. He did this to save us from our sinful past. He showed us how to love our neighbor as ourselves and how to love God above all else. His way was true and there was no other way but His.

The Way of Jesus is alive. Although Jesus gave His life for us many years ago, the way is an active force in the world today. In fact, the early Christian church was called “The Way” in the book of Acts (Acts 9:1-2) READ. We are all part of the living Christian church.