Jesus is the Way
INTRODUCTION
The idea of the Way is something I can remember growing up with. Throughout my childhood, I heard the phrase. Our church had banners with the phrase “Jesus is the Way”. We had a Lutheran Youth Fellowship meeting that was called “The Way”. All around, I found references to the Way. We all took this to mean following Jesus. But, it was never quite explained that way. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at this very popular Bible text. We’re going to take a more in depth look 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 Way is true and Living
Jesus is The Way
The idea of Jesus being ‘the way” can not be looked at entirely without examining what the Greek behind it says. I don’t plan on turning this into a Greek lesson, but there are inherit things with language that must be understood. Every language has it’s figures of speech that it uses to explain things. However, translated directly, they don’t mean the same thing. For example, in English, we have an expression called a “baker’s dozen.” This is not a reference to 12 of something owned by a baker. Instead, this is a reference to the number 13. We have another expression that sets other pictures in peoples mind. American’s can do things with their “hair on fire.” This does not mean that we have to call the fire department, but that it’s being done in a hurry. Someone who speaks a different language might not understand these expressions this way. They may wonder what baked good have to do with the discussion or how long it will take to put out the flames. These simple phrases can be misunderstood if translated directly. Instead, we have to understand the figures of speech as well as the language.
In John 14:6, we find a figure of speak in the Greek. But, this doesn’t translate into English very well. Earlier I read this passage from the New King James version. This passage read: “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. However, 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 said 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 “way” is a path, a road, or even a journey. It is a means of getting from one place to another. It is a progression from something, to something else. It is the method we need to travel to get from one point in our lives to another. By nature, we are sinful men and women who know how to do wrong. Jesus is the example that is “the way” that we must follow. He is the Christian faith and the manner in which we lead our lives. 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. His teachings are once and for all; they are for all time, for all generations, and for all people. The way of Jesus was outlined from long ago. Time and time again, we find Jesus fulfilling the prophecies of scripture and living the life that was predicted long ago. Isaiah made it clear that the messiah would not be accepted by all. He would be despised and rejected. He would bear our grief and carry our sorrow. He was to be beaten and wounded for our transgressions. Jesus was the Christ and he did all of this for us.
The way of Jesus was set in motion as early as Genesis 3:15 in the Garden of Eden. There with Adam and Eve a promise was made that a messiah would come. As scriptures continue, we find further information that the messiah will come from the seed of David. Finally, we find a reference to his suffering for our sins and taking the brunt of the punishment that we should be forced to endure. The Old Testament is filled with the prophecies and the description of the plan that was to unfold many years later.
One would not plan for a torturous existence such as Jesus bore for us unless there was a real reason behind it all. It was the plan of salvation and the covenant of promise 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
But, the way is not stagnant. Although Jesus gave his life for us many years ago, it 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. We are all part of the living Christian church. The church should not be an unmoving, unemotional institution. It should be working within the community to make God’s presence known.
As a living church, we are to react to the environment we’re placed in. It is our duty to feed the hungry, to visit those in prison, to pray for those who are sick, to give shelter and clothing to the homeless and to spread the Gospel over the face of the world. The church is a living and breathing animal; A stagnant church is a dead church.
By sheltering the homeless, having devotions with new believers, feeding the hungry, visiting those in prison and donating to mission opportunities, the church is a living and breathing thing. It is more than an organization or worship. It’s an organization of life itself.
These efforts are great opportunities to share our faith and great means to build up the faith of others. There are always more opportunities out there. These opportunities are what bring new people to the church and ultimately save souls.
The living way is what we are to follow. It is the path that follows Jesus as the Christ. It is the journey that brings us closer to the Father. It is the path that blesses not only our lives, but the lives of those around us. It is the following of the example that Jesus laid out for us and the institution of his simple commands. Love your neighbor as yourself and Love God with all your heart, soul and body. The way is the epitome of love because Jesus is love.
We can only come to the Father by knowing the Son
Jesus is the mediator for us
We can only come to the Father by knowing the Son. Through our own efforts, all we can do is achieve a list of sins. Once we have sinned, we can never truly make amends for the sins that we commit. For example, if you borrow a friends car and wreck it where you are at fault, the trust that your friend had in driving will never quite be the same. The fault can be forgiven, but that doesn’t recreate the trust. In the same way, each time we sin is similar to that lost trust. God will forgive our sins, but only because Jesus is the mediator between us and God. There is nothing we can do for ourselves to save our souls. There is nothing that we can do to change that we have been disobedient to the law of God and committed sins against his command.
The sacrifice of Jesus was necessary that we might humbly come before God and say. Heavenly Father, I am sorry and truly repentant of my sins. I know the sacrifice that Jesus has made for my eternal soul and humbly ask for your forgiveness.
Without the mediation of Jesus, there is no hope for us. He accepted the debt that we earned and he paid it in full. The way of Jesus is the acceptance of his mediation on our behalf.
We know the Father by following the Son; Jesus and the Father are of one purpose
But, the mediation is not a vision unto itself. Jesus and the Father are of one mind and one spirit. Jesus goes on to say that he and the Father are one purpose. He said “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Jesus and the Father are of one purpose because they are both God. They both are one. Jesus came here to show us the way to the Father. There are many ways we can choose in life. But, Jesus was the one and only way. He tried to make this clear when he said “no one comes to the father, except through me.” He tried to make it clear because of the choices that surround us. God’s greatest gift was the gift of free choice. Without it, we would be mindless robots. Instead, God allowed us to accept his way apart from our own.
We could choose to be followers of Buddha. They lead moral lives and do not want to harm any living creature. They look for peace without Jesus.
We could choose to follow John Smith and the Mormon church. They lead pure lives and put Jesus on a plateau with many gods. Instead of following Jesus as true God, they choose to make themselves gods of their own private worlds. They relegate Jesus to the status of equal brother rather than Lord of all.
We could choose to follow the Jews with their tradition that Jesus was just a man or even the Bhai faith that treats all religions as equally valid.
Each of these religions believes that Jesus lived. They don’t reject his existence. However, none of these follow what Jesus taught. Instead, they either ignore the teachings of Jesus, or twist his word to their teaching.
There are many good men and women who will not share in the Father’s house because only through following the way of Jesus, can we share in the kingdom to come. It is not our own efforts that make us stand out and justify our reward. It is the sacrifice of Jesus and the grace that God has bestowed on us that allows us to share in the prize. Those who choose to go another route will not be allowed through the door.
This is made quite clear in the book of Revelation. In John’s book of prophecy, there are many good people who did not feed the hungry, visit those in prison or give shelter to the homeless. They may have led good lives. They may have committed no crimes and harmed no-one. But, they are not part of the way of Jesus. They chose a different path.
We will Share in Paradise by Following Jesus
Jesus is going to heaven
Jesus make clear that eternal life is the purpose of way. Early in John chapter 14, we find Jesus speaking of his Father’s house. Jesus mentions to his disciples that he is going to prepare the place. But, the disciples don’t understand. They want his ministry on earth to last forever. They haven’t attached all of the Old Testament prophecies to Jesus yet. They are confused as to what Jesus is talking about. This is why Jesus says he is the way. He wants to make it more clear.
The way exists beyond the borders of this earth. Jesus says “when I come again, I will take you to myself.” This is talking about his second coming. This is talking about judgment day. The way is leading up to final outcome of all time. Who will be saved, and who will be condemned.
We can follow Jesus and live in heaven as well
But, hope is not lost. We have the opportunity to join Jesus in his Father’s house by following his way and example. By following the true and living way of Christ, we will be able to share in the kingdom that is to come; we will be able to share in our own paradise by God’s side.
Conclusion
Jesus led his life as a mediator for our sins. By following him, we are assured of sharing in the eternal kingdom. We are to believe in Jesus as the one and only true and living way. Love our neighbors as ourselves and Love God with all our heart, all our soul and all our strength. There will be many that claim that they are another way or a replacement for Jesus. However, his sacrifice was once and for all time. Through the teachings, life and sacrifice of Jesus, will be able to understand how God wants us to live and how God want us to live for his people. Ultimately, there is only one way, to eternal life and that is through following Jesus.
