Sabbath: The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 30th of November 2024
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: John 13:1-20; John 14:1-3; Daniel 7:27; John 14:5-11; John 1:14; Colossians 1:16-17; John 5:38-40.
Memory Text:
“No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:18, NKJV).
The Gospel of John is divided into four main sections: The Prologue (John 1:1-18), the Book of Signs (John 1:19-51; John 2:1-25; John 3:1-36; John 4:1-54; John 5:1-47; John 6:1-71; John 7:1-53; John 8:1-59; John 9:1-41; John 10:1-42; John 11:1-57; John 12:1-50), the Book of Glory (John 13:1-38; John 14:1-31; John 15:1-27; John 16:1-33; John 17:1-26; John 18:1-40; John 19:1-42; John 20:1-31), and the Epilogue (John 21:1-25). Our study so far has focused mainly on the Prologue and the Book of Signs, laying out who Jesus is via His miracles (signs), dialogues, and teachings. The lessons now shift particularly to the third section of John, the Book of Glory.
Interestingly, the famous seven “I AM” statements form a bridge across the Book of Signs and the Book of Glory. These are “the bread of life” (John 6:35,41,48,51), “the light of the world” (John 8:12, John 9:5), “the door” (John 10:7,9), “the good shepherd” (John 10:11,14), “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6), and “the true vine” (John 15:1,5).
This week’s lesson will begin with the purpose of the farewell discourse and its introduction with the significant episode of Jesus’ washing His disciples’ feet. Then it will turn to the “I AM” statement in chapter 14 (“I am the way, the truth, and the life”).
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, December 7.
(21)
The Way, the Truth, and the Life. Great title! It would make a wonderful wall plaque. But that is the problem. There are lots of really cute Christian statements we quote to one another that make us feel good about our commitment to Christianity. Another one that is starting to do the rounds already is: "Jesus is the Reason for the Season!" It is a great statement pointing to Jesus, but what is the point unless we act on it?
I am reminded of the antismoking campaign advertisement: "Smoking Kills!". It is a true statement but it requires action to make its intent effective.
How do we act on the statement, "Jesus is the Way"? We are reminded of an illustration Jesus used in the Sermon on the Mount. He invited us to be a light set on a hill. The purpose of the light is to show others the way. We need to walk with others to show them the way.
One final illustration. I often take groups of people bird watching and some of the locations are a bit hard to find. I could give them a map and a list of instructions, but past experience has shown that some people still get lost. Nowadays I usually tell folk to meet me at a location that we all know and then I lead them to the birding location.
That is possibly a good illustration of sharing the spiritual way as well. Meet at a common starting point to start the journey together.
Throughout human history many leaders and ruler have made audacious or exaggerated claims about their abilities, roles, or divine connections, but none made profound and bold claim as Jesus in John 14:6 (“I am the way and the truth and the life”). Jesus uniquely positioned Himself as not just a guide to truth or life but the very embodiment of the way to God, the ultimate truth, and eternal life. This is a very serious claim indeed. ONLY ONE who is equal to GOD can have such audacity, courage and strong conviction to say so. Yes, Jesus can.
A quick overview of the historical figures, both political and religious, who made boisterous claims but sadly fell by the wayside.
1.Alexander the Great (356–323 BC) - Claimed to be the son of Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology. His conquests and charisma led many to deify him during his lifetime, and he saw himself as a ruler with divine authority. Sadly, he died at a very young age of 32 without accomplishing his ultimate goal to conquer and unify the known world. His empire fragmented soon after his death.
2.Julius Caesar (100–44 BC) - Declared himself "dictator for life" in Rome and portrayed himself as almost godlike through propaganda and public monuments. Sadly, his says he was assassinated at the age of 55. After his death, he was officially deified by the Roman Senate. He is in the grave awaiting resurrection and judgement by Jesus.
3.Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821) - Known for his towering ambition, Napoleon described himself as destined for greatness, famously stating: "I am the revolution." His self-perception as a world-shaping figure evaporated into the tiny air when he was defeated by the British in 1815 at the battle of Waterloo. He dies in exile on the island of Saint Helena, where he was under British custody. He was 51 years. King Jesus will call him from the grave to face judgement.
4.Adolf Hitler (1889–1945) - Positioned himself as the savior of Germany, claiming to lead the nation to a new era of greatness. His propaganda emphasized his unparalleled ability to commit gigantic atrocities against humanity. He will be called from the grave by the voice of Jesus to face what he had committed in this life (John 5:28-29, Revelation 20:12-13, 2 Corinthians 5:10)
5.Mao Zedong (1893–1976) - Often referred to himself as the "Great Helmsman" and positioned himself as the sole leader capable of transforming China through the Communist Revolution. Sadly, Mao’s regime fostered authoritarianism and contributing to policies that led to significant suffering, such as the famine during the Great Leap Forward and the chaos of the Cultural Revolution. Nevertheless, Mao is resting in the grave awaiting the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God to face judgement (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
Even several religious figures made claims to greatness but sadly all of them returned to dust from where they came from awaiting resurrection by Jesus (Genesis 3:19). Jesus’s declaration was not about political power, military conquest, or earthly achievement but about providing access to eternal life and truth. This same Jesus know you and me by name, and when you cry to Him, He will hear.
Amen, blessed new week
Reading all the listed Scripture references comes before I write the comment. Scripture and the stated topic of the lesson capture what to focus my comment on. One thought or impression usually comes to mind right away, sometimes I need to wait. Today I needed to wait. When reading the references again, one point caught my attention.
The Way, the Truth, and the Life all mean the same thing for us who already walk the Way of Truth unto Life – Salvation. How could we effectively explain them to those who do not know about the Way? Even among the 12 apostles Jesus walked with the entire time of His ministry, there were some who still could not ‘comprehend the full meaning’ of who He was, what He had come to do, and how it would affect their life.
Though I understand and believe His Word of Truth and Life, I find myself, like His disciples, yearning to learn and understand more about the work which Jesus never got tired of teaching and explaining about as He humbly and compassionately ministered to His disciples around Him.
I consider that, no matter how often we hear or read them, His Words never lose their awesome splendor as they convey God's Truth and Life. Their reflections springs up in our hearts and shine outward so all can partake of the Glory of God. His Spirit came to reside in us who love God with all their heart so we can love and minister to our fellow man as we were loved by Him – John 13:12-17.
I appreciate your kind sharing of the word of God.
Amen.Indeed Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life.