Tuesday: I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 3rd of December 2024
Read John 14:5-6. What query did Thomas make about where Jesus was going? How did Jesus respond?
Thomas’s query seems logical enough. If you do not know where someone is going, how can you know the way to follow that person? Jesus upends the query by indicating that He Himself is the way. The way to what? The way to the Father. In the Prologue (John 1:1-18), the intimate connection between the Word (logos), Jesus Christ, and the Father is emphasized.
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John 1:18 says that the only begotten (better translated here as unique) God is the One who has made the Father known. To make known in this text is the Greek verb exēgeomai, meaning to explain, interpret, exposit. We get the word exegesis from this. It means to bring out the meaning. Thus, Jesus Christ is the link to the Father, the One who explains or interprets the Father to a fallen world. Consequently, He is the way or path to the Father. Without Him, we are limited in our understanding.
Read John 14:7-11. How did Jesus clear up Philip’s misunderstanding?
Philip asked to see the Father, something no sinful human can do and live (compare with Exodus 33:17-23; Exodus 34:1-9, John 1:18). Jesus reproves the lack of understanding and points out that if you have seen Him, you have seen the Father (John 14:9). Consequently, it is clear that Jesus is the pathway to God. Without Him, the pathway grows dark and uncertain. He is the light that illuminates the way to God.
Jesus ties together three terms: way, truth, and life. The term way is used only in John 1:23 regarding John the Baptist’s preparing the way for Jesus, and it is used here in John 14:6. But truth and life are major themes in the Gospel. Our study on Wednesday and Thursday will emphasize the concept of truth, a crucial topic, especially in a world where the very idea of “truth” is called into question.
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Why is it so comforting to realize that Jesus is the best revelation we will have here of what God the Father is like? |
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The villagers woke up one morning to find that someone had built a new road through the village and there was a signpost saying, "The Way"
Jesus said:
Yes, let us follow The Way.
Love the story.
Maurice Sir I am gonna share the above guide comment you gave
THANK You 🙏🏽
Thanks for sharing
I love this illustration!
Jesus’ invitation to know the Father is an invitation to experience the fullness of God's nature and love. Knowing Jesus is crucial because He is the way to the Father, but Jesus points beyond Himself to the ultimate relationship with God. This reflects the interconnected purpose of the Trinity in bringing humanity back into fellowship with the Creator. In John 14:9, Jesus states, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father," emphasizing His role as the perfect representation of God. Through His life, actions, and words, Jesus made the invisible God visible to humanity (Hebrews 1:3). Knowing Jesus is essential because He is the way we understand the Father's character, love, mercy, and holiness.
In John 14:6, Jesus declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Jesus presents Himself not as the final destination but as the mediator and bridge to a relationship with God the Father. The Father is the ultimate source of life, love, and salvation, and Jesus' mission was to restore humanity to the Father. "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus’s mission and purpose here on heart was to reveal God the Father to mankind. "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3). While knowing Jesus is vital, it leads to a fuller relationship with God. Jesus introduces us to God's saving grace. Knowing the Father helps us understand God's love, sovereignty, and eternal purposes.
Jesus' desire for believers to know the Father reflects the perfect unity within the Trinity (John 10:30 – "I and the Father are one"). To know Jesus is to know the Father, but experiencing a personal relationship with the Father deepens and completes the believer’s spiritual journey. Knowing Jesus is the entry point, but the ultimate goal is communion with the Father, through Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Gospel of John is profoundly persuasive in demonstrating Jesus as "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). When Jesus says, “I am the way”, He is literally saying, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved" (John 10:9). This verse underscore that Jesus is not merely a guide but the singular route to a restored relationship with God. Also, when Jesus says, “I am the truth”, He is simply saying that I am the embodiment of divine truth, offering a clear understanding of God's nature and will. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). As we witness deaths all around us, it soothes our troubled souls to hear our Saviour make audacious declaration, “I am the life”. Recently, I lost my father, I am longing to see him on the resurrection day. “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die" (John 11:25). This is life beyond the grave. Yes, dear Jesus come quickly.
Thank you brother
Mwambi Even so come Jesus
It is profoundly comforting to know that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God the Father because He embodies the perfect expression of God's character, nature, and love for us. Knowing Jesus as the perfect revelation of God assures us that we are loved by a God who is approachable, compassionate, and deeply invested in our well-being. This realization provides unshakable peace and joy.
I have a question regarding Exodus 33:20. It is my understanding that Jesus is the I AM of Exodus. In this verse He states that no man shall look on Him and live. Does this mean that no man could look on the unveiled glory of Christ and live as also stated regarding The Father because I have not previously heard that referred to.
I believe you're right on when you write, "Does this mean that no man could look on the unveiled glory of Christ and live?" Remember that Jesus said, "I and the Father are one." They share the same holy character, the same glory, the same power. (Compare Isa. 9:6)
I have decided to listen and look over your shoulders for the rest of the quarter. Have a blessed Christmas and a Christ filled New Year.
In a world where truth has become subjective, instead of objective, Jesus declaring himself as "the Truth" can be, and often is offensive. Why? Because humans have been conditioned to accept absurdity as normality. Even the concept of normality has been challenged by what side of the political, social, moral, and spiritual divide you find yourself on. To that kind of world Jesus overturns the tables and sets the matter straight.
In a world that declares find your own way, a world that declares that Plato, or other philosophers, Confucius, Buddha, Mohammed, Dali Lama, Gandhi, materialism, atheism, socialism, communism, political correctness, or sensuality, are a way, Jesus, with one sweep of His hand, and one declaration of His words, blows them all away by declaring that He, Himself, is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. There is no other way to obtain purpose and fulfillment in life. They are all polluted streams and dried up wells. To such a world Jesus offers rest (Matthew 11:28-30), peace (John 14:27), and the living water of Himself (John 7:38), as the answer to everything, everyone has been, or is searching for in life. He didn't come to compete, He came to complete. He came to seek and save those lost "sheep" that thought there might be another way, truth, or life worth living.
All those other "ways, truths, and lives" are dead and in their graves. Jesus is alive, He conquered death and He offers Himself to humanity as the only Way, Truth, and Life. The only bridge across the chasm of sin. The only true Way to the Father, and eternal Life. If you don't have Jesus you are on a dead end road, traveler. Take Jesus with you and you will find everything that you have been seeking for all of your life. There is no other Way, Truth, or Life.
Many people struggle with Jesus' declaration, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life," especially when their experiences with Christians contradict the love they are called to embody. My oldest daughter is one such person.
Her rejection of Christianity stems from early wounds of perceived rejection by Christians — the very people called to love unconditionally. While she accepts human failure, she struggles to reconcile the injustices and hypocrisy she associates with those who claim to follow Jesus. Her perspective is clear: “If Christians represent Jesus, and Jesus points to God, then I want nothing to do with their God.”
Yet, my daughter’s life is marked by profound compassion. She works tirelessly to serve the homeless, broken, and lost, though she separates her efforts from faith-based initiatives. Her work reflects God’s love in action, but she hesitates to connect it with Jesus Christ. For her, faith must be evidenced by consistent, genuine conduct—not just words or claims.
To me, Jesus’ Way, Truth, and Life are inseparable, revealed through grace and faith in daily, intentional choices. My daughter wants to see God not in abstract theology but in the lived-out love and grace of His people. Like many who reject Christianity, her path back to faith will likely come not through arguments or doctrine but through the compassion, understanding, and grace that heal wounds of disappointment.
At a time when my children were still young, I wrote down a thought to direct their behavior and put it on the fridge where it remains to this day: “Expect the best of yourself and others; be ready, willing to work with less — give Grace.” Grace is the heart of Christian faith; it expresses God's Love for us which we pass on to others. It’s what enables us to reflect Jesus’ Way, Truth, and Life in a way that draws others, even skeptics, closer to Him.
It's genuinely sad when Christians misrepresent their God. I'm sorry that your daughter had such an experience. Mahatma Gandhi had a similar experience and said, "I like your Christ, not your Christians".
For what it's worth even Jesus had a bad experience with religious people in His day. However He didn't give up on God or religion. We must not either. Jesus gave up on toxic religion, and that's what we need to steer clear of.
In truth, Christianity isn't a religion, but a relationship. The enemy of our souls will use anything or anyone to try to sever that relationship. We must not "throw the baby out with the bath water", so to speak.
God and Jesus are infinitely better, sadly, than His representatives on earth. Shalom to her.
Thank you for you kind remarks, Tim. I keep all things in perspective as I walk His Way be faith. I could use the comment regarding Mahatma Gandhi's view of Jesus vs. Christians at an opportune occasion. 🙂
Brigitte, this is one of the most meaningful and challenging comments I have read in this forum. For many of us, the challenge of presenting Jesus to our family members is a life-long work. Often they paint a picture of Jesus different to ours but still of great value.
Brigitte, my daughter and I experienced a had “slap” from the Conference level of the Adventist Church. I was thrown in a “pigsty” with my emotions. We were going through the phase of reading Bible here there. Then I was diagnosed with cancer. That was the point when God Showed us He is The Way, Truth, and Life. Now My daughter is teaching her children about God’s love. Her children saw me going through the “valley of death”. As Tim said “relationship.” He will bring her back”.
When Jesus said, "I am the Way," he indicated how profoundly different is the genuine way to eternal life than taught in all other world religions.
All other religions focus on some thing(s) for people to do to "deserve" eternal life. There is no other religion whose God offers to be "the Way" to eternal life. No other religion that is so profoundly personal.
Christ left His home of glory and His throne over the universe to become "One with us," Immanuel. He became human so that we might be able to relate to Him. And He tells us that it is this relationship with Him that is "the Way" to eternal life. Not what we do, but whom we know.
All He asks is that we allow Him to be Lord of our lives, and He promises that this will make our joy full. (John 15:11) Words fail ...
There could be no more didactic form to explain God than having Himself with us in a form that we could relate with physically! Jesus is the most fantastic proof of Who the Father, God, is. If everything is Christ's, I must rest because my life is also Christ's.