The Way, the Truth, and the Life
John 14:6
As we continue to examine the I AM statements made by Jesus, we come to one that is often quoted and very profound. I am convinced this is one of the most compelling statements in all of Scripture. Jesus was very emphatic as He spoke to Thomas, and this is a statement that all must consider and respond.
While it may appear that Jesus made a simple statement, these few words reveal much about His character and the redeeming work He came to perform. He is not merely a way, one way or even the best way – He is the way. He is not some truth, partial truth, or even adequate truth – He is the truth. He is not mere life, good life, or beneficial life – He is the life. Watchman Nee had this to say about Jesus in his book The Normal Christian Life – “The normal Christian life must begin with a very definite ‘knowing,’ which is not just knowing something about the truth nor understanding some important doctrine. It’s not an intellectual knowledge at all, but an opening of the eyes of the heart to see what we have in Christ. So, our first step is to seek from God knowledge that comes by revelation - a revelation, that is to say, not of ourselves but of the finished work of the Lord Jesus on the Cross.”
As we examine the certainties in this powerful statement, I want to consider: The Way, the Truth, and the Life.
I. A Comforting Message (6a) – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus had revealed unto the disciples, just hours before His crucifixion, that He was going away to prepare a place for them, and that He would come again and receive them unto Himself. He declared they knew where He was going and the way He would go. Thomas replied, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus responded with this profound statement. He revealed:
A. He is the Way – Bear in mind the question of Thomas as we consider this statement. For centuries the prophets had prophesied of the coming of Christ. They stood as God’s representative to men. They pointed the way to God. While these had revealed the way to God, the coming of Christ and His atoning sacrifice, none prior to Christ could provide the way. In fact, they likely never fully understood the way they proclaimed.
Jesus declared unto Thomas that He was the way. He was not a way, one of many ways, or even the best way – He was the way, the only way! If these, or any other, desired to dwell with Christ in eternity, they must come by and through Him. He was the way unto eternal life and residence in heaven. He was the door, the path, the way to eternal life.
It is interesting to note that in the books of Acts, dealing with the early church and believers in Christ, those who identified with the Lord were described as being in the way. On the Damascus Road where Paul was converted to Christ, he was on a mission to arrest and imprison any he found of this way. As Paul testified before the Roman governor regarding the resurrection, Felix is described as having a more perfect knowledge of that way. In the days of the early church, believers were identified as being in the way. These were in Christ; they were in the Way! I am thankful to have received the grace of God unto salvation, believing the Gospel by faith, and being placed in the Way.
Are you in the way today? Jesus is not one of many ways as the world would have us believe. He is the way. There is no other avenue to obtain reconciliation to God, forgiveness of sin, and eternal life. Jesus is the Way, and He is the only way!
B. He is the Truth – Jesus declared that He was not only the way, He is the truth as well. Again, consider the prophets of old. They had declared the truth revealed to them by God, but they never comprehended complete truth. These looked through a shaded glass, seeing only what God desired them to see. They shared the truth they knew, but they never held absolute, complete truth. Jesus had not come to reveal partial truth, or even adequate truth – He is the truth, revealing all truth.
Jesus was and is the embodiment of truth. He was truth robed in flesh. He did not merely comprehend all truth or convey truth, He revealed truth in the person of God. The eternal God revealed truth to humanity through the incarnation of the Son. Truth walked among men, ministering to them and teaching them the truth. John 1:14 – And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. The world declares that truth is relative, and absolute truth does not exist. We have truth in the person of Jesus Christ. He is truth!
Jesus reveals truth. For centuries truth was revealed in part. God would give specific revelation through the prophets, but complete truth was not given until Christ came to earth in the form of a man. As He embodied truth, He revealed truth to humanity. He revealed the mysteries of old, declaring Himself to be the Christ – Savior and Redeemer of mankind. He revealed that He came to fulfill the plan of redemption, settled in heaven before the foundation of the world. As He taught and expounded the Word, men stood in amazement at His wisdom. He revealed the truth necessary for the salvation of men. Who better to reveal truth than the Word of God? John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 17:8 – For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. Rev.1:5 – And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, [6] And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
In truth there is freedom. Through the truth received in Christ, we are delivered from the bondage of sin, and reconciled to God. We are freed from the fear of death and the guilt of sin. I cannot imagine life apart from truth. John 8:32 – And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
C. He is the Life – Jesus also declared that He was the life. He is not merely good life, or beneficial life – He is the life. Apart from Him one cannot truly know life. We may experience a physical existence here upon this earth, but Christ alone is the source of life. In Him we enjoy life abundantly, knowing the fulness of His grace and the fellowship of His presence. We have spiritual life in Christ that secures life eternal. Those apart from Christ will experience eternal death, but those in Christ will never die. We may depart from this life in physical death, but the believer will be more alive following that departure than any life experienced on earth. We have assurance of genuine, eternal life in Christ. He is the Life! John 10:10 – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 11:25 – Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. Rom.5:21 – That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
II. A Convicting Mandate (6b) – no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Finally, Jesus revealed a convicting and emphatic statement. We cannot ignore or neglect these words. He spoke of:
A. An Exclusive Way – Many have trouble with this statement and many reject it outright. They refuse to believe what Jesus said about being the only way of salvation. He declared man’s only way of approaching the Father, being acceptable unto Him was by and through Christ. No one can come to the Father expect through Christ the Son. This provision was made as He offered Himself the atoning sacrifice for our sin. God demanded sin be judged and atonement made. Graciously, God judged the sin of humanity in the body of His Son. He did not spare His only begotten Son but offered Him as the atonement for our sin. Christ alone was worthy to become the sacrifice for sin. There is no other means of salvation and reconciliation to God. Those who refuse to come through Christ, remain in their sin, accountable to God. Acts 4:12 – Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. John 3:18 – He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
B. A Decisive Way – The way to God the Father is exclusive through Christ the Son, but it is available for all who come to Him by faith. Christ bridged the gap sin had caused, bringing reconciliation to those divided by sin and transgression. While God has declared there is only one way, we can rejoice that He provided the means of salvation. There is no reason for any to die in their sin, separated from God and accountable for their transgressions. Christ died on the cross, bearing our sin and enduring our judgment. He rose again triumphant, providing eternal life for all who believe. One can be saved and reconciled to God, having complete assurance of eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord. John 1:12 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 1 Tim.2:3-4 – For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Conclusion: The statement we have discussed has been difficult for many to receive. There are those who refuse to believe that Jesus is the sole means of salvation. Many seek for truth and life through various other means. Jesus alone is the way, but that way is available for all who come to Him in faith and repentance. I am thankful truth was revealed to me and I was saved by His marvelous grace. I have the assurance of eternal life in Christ my Lord. Do you know Christ as your personal Savior? Have you responded to the gracious offer of salvation? If not, I urge you to come as the Lord leads!
