Summary Of I Am The Way The Truth And The Life
After saying, I am the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus added: No one comes to the Father except through Me . It is thus only through Jesus that we can have a relationship with the Father.
Jesus is the One who has taught us the way to live our lives. Through Him we learn what absolute truth is. And if we believe in Him, we will obey Him, and we can receive eternal life.
John summarizes these concepts as follows: And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life .
Yes, Jesus words are controversial. But they are sage advice that we would all do well to heed.
About the Author
David Treybig
David Treybig is a husband, father and grandfather. He and his wife, Teddi, have two grown children and seven grandchildren. He currently pastors the Austin, Texas, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. He has served in the pastoral ministry for over 40 years, pastoring congregations across six states.
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
14 Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God believe also in me.
2 My Fathers house has many rooms if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4 You know the way to the place where I am going.
Jesus Said: I Am The Way The Truth And The Life
When Jesus said, I am the Way the Truth and the Life, it was a clear declaration of the Fathers love through the sacrifice of the Son and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
There is no shortage of options in this world we live in. It is easy to become comfortable and settle in when everything can seemingly be acquired or achieved easily. But as followers of Jesus, we know that this world is not our eternal destiny. We are made to enjoy forever in heaven with our Creator. Perhaps all of us have, at one point or another, wondered how do we get there? How can we have eternal life in heaven with our Father? Is it possible to be restored to all holiness despite our utter sinfulness?
The Bible has a clear and specific answer to these valid and quite common questions. In the gospel of John chapter 14, we find Jesus saying this: I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Let us explore these verses and find out what Jesus means.
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The Way The Truth And The Life
In the first of three individualised conversations in this chapter, Jesus speaks with Thomas.
- Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
Plummer notes that they were in Jerusalem, “the royal city of the conquering Messiah“, so the disciples may have thought they were in the place where Jesus would be “to restore the kingdom to Israel”.
What I Am The Way The Truth And The Life Means
Jesus answered, I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. John 14:6-7
Jesus Christ doesnt exactly give a straight answer. After all hes plainly said at least three times that he would die and rise again . The problem is the disciples have preconceived notions of who the Messiah would be and what he would do. And they just cannot interpret his words literally.
Lets break each of the ways Jesus describes himself so that we can understand what Jesus words I am the way the truth and the life actually mean.
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Jesus Is The Only Mediator Between Us And The Father
At the end of His statement in John 14:6, Jesus said that no one comes to the Father except through Me . Note that Jesus didnt say that no one goes to the Father, He said that no one comes to the Father. So, He is with the Father. Thats why He is the only one that can connect us to Him.
The Bible teaches us that there is no salvation apart from Jesus . Paul states that there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus . There may be many idols and people who claim to be mediators between humankind and God. But Jesus is the only one who can truly do it.
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How To Apply The John 1: 6 Meaning To Your Life
When Jesus says, I am the way the truth and the life he showing us what we should concern ourselves with. Whats really important. If we arent careful we will end chasing things that are not important or meaningful.
This passage is a reminder and a challenge to chase after what matters, what will have an eternal impact. This is a life of meaning and significance.
Jesus is inviting you into a richer, beautiful, and better life. You will have to die to your old life and thats not easy. But in return you get something far better. True life. Its a life that is only found in him that we could never find on our own.
Let me end my giving you three reflection questions to help you apply the John 14:6 meaning to your life and how you can step into the life Jesus has for you.
The Gift Of His Peace
25 These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.26 ButtheHelper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father willsend in My name,He will teach you all things, and bring to yourremembrance all things that I said to you.27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.28 You have heard Mesay to you, I am going away and coming back to you. If you loved Me, you would rejoice becauseI said,I am going to the Father, forMy Father is greater than I.
29 Andnow I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.30 I will no longer talk much with you,for the ruler of this world is coming, and he hasnothing in Me.31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, andas the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.
Footnotes
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I Am The Way The Truth And The Life John 1: 1
Bible Verse of the Day Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A
5 Thomas said to him, Master, we do not know where you are going how can we know the way?6 Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.7 If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.
John 14:1-12
Breaking Down The Key Parts Of John 1: 6
#1 Jesus answered, I am the wayWhen the disciples wanted to know how to get to the Father, Jesus answered that he was the only way to the Father.
#2 the truthJesus is the source of all truth. He is the answer to the most important questions. The fact of Jesus life and death shows the truth about our divine image and our fallen nature. Jesus came because it was the only way to satisfy Gods justice and his mercy. The life of Jesus shows the total truth about reality and the way that we ought to live and be. We must worship in Spirit and in truth . There are many false and ridiculous notions of who God is, but Jesus shows us the truth about him.
#3 and the life.In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind . The world and all life were created through Christ. Christ alone is the answer to the problem of death that was introduced by Adams sin. Jesus promised that he came so that we would have life abundantly .
#4 No one comes to the Father except through me.Many people say that they believe in God, but if they have seen Jesus, yet reject him, then they dont know the Father, and they cannot get to him in their sin. Jesus death on the cross made a way through the curtain to the holy of holy places. Now, because of Christ, we can enter boldly into the glorious presence of the Father .
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Jesus Said I Am The Way The Truth And The Life
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me .
Christians are often criticized for claiming that Jesus is the only way to God. After all, there are billions of non-Christians in the world. Are we really so narrow minded and bigoted that we think these people will be excluded from heaven just because they happened to be born in the wrong country or have been taught the wrong religion?
Rabbi Schmuley Boteach summed up the feelings of many when he said, I am absolutely against any religion that says that one faith is superior to another. I dont see how that is anything different than spiritual racism. Its a way of saying that we are closer to God than you, and thats what leads to hatred.5
Those who make such objections have a point. If Jesus is merely one more religious teacher out of countless others, then his claim would be absurd. How can one person have a monopoly on the truth or proclaim his way as the only way to God? After all, humans are finite and fallible, while God is infinitely greater than our small minds can comprehend.
Consider this somewhat imperfect analogy: The movie Braveheart described the exploits of William Wallace as he led the Scottish people in rebellion against Edward Longshanks, the king of England. As Wallaces victories became more numerous, his reputation grew exponentially. Then one day he came to lead some Scottish warriors into battle who had never met him.
Where Do I Get My Truth From
Theres no shortage of voices telling you truth. And if you arent careful these voices will become the TRUTH of your life. If something or someone other than Jesus is defining truth for you it will only let you down.
Jesus claims to be THE truth. Is he where you get your truth from? Because all other wells will leave you thirstier and thirstier. Jesus is the only one who can truly satisfy.
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The Word Became Flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husbands will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.John 1:1-18
Todays Bible Verse Of The Day Reflections
Are you saved? Hopefully the answer to this is Yes in three ways: You were saved by grace through Baptism, you continue to be saved by Gods grace and mercy as you freely choose to follow Him, and you hope to be saved in your final hour so as to enter the glories of Heaven. Anything we accomplish in life means nothing if we cannot answer Yes in this threefold way.
Its also important to be reminded of how we are saved. How is it that we were, are and hope to receive the precious gift of salvation? The answer is simple: Through the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ our one and only Way to the Father. There is no other way we obtain salvation than through Him.
Sometimes we can fall into the trap of thinking that we achieve salvation by simply being good. In other words, do your good works save you? The proper answer is both Yes and No. It is Yes only in the sense that our good works are a necessary part of union with Christ.
Without Him we can do nothing good. But if we have accepted Christ into our life and, thus, if we are on the road to salvation, then good works will be necessarily present in our life. But the answer is also No in the sense that Jesus and Jesus alone is the only Savior. We cannot save ourselves no matter how hard we try to be good.
Bible Verse of the Day in Pictures
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The Setting For I Am The Way The Truth And The Life
The last year of Jesus earthly ministry was a time of great stress for His disciples.
As His final Passover approached, Jesus learned that His friend Lazarus had died. Lazarus lived in Bethany, which was located about 2 miles from Jerusalem. Intending to raise His friend from the dead and to observe the Passover with His disciples in Jerusalem, Jesus told His disciples, Let us go to Judea again .
The serious danger they would be in by returning to Judea was clearly understood by Jesus disciples. Thomas said to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with Him .
On the way, Jesus gave the disciples more explicit information about what lay ahead . After observing His final Passover, Jesus again reminded them that His death was imminent and that He would soon be leaving them .
Peter wanted to know why he couldnt follow Jesus at this time. Echoing Thomas previous comment, Peter rashly said that he was ready to lay down his life for Christ . But Jesus told Peter that he would soon deny Him three times .
At this point, the disciples were completely bewildered and discouraged. Jesus had said He was going away , that He would die , that one of the Twelve was a traitor , that Peter would disown Him three times , that Satan was at work against all of them , and that all the disciples would fall away . The cumulative weight of these revelations must have greatly depressed them .
Jesus Christ Said I Am The Way The Truth And The Life
The 14th chapter of John is a message of comfort and assurance to all with a troubled heart here Jesus comforted His disciples after they responded to His news that he was going away with sorrow.
In John 13:33 Jesus said, My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me where I am going you cannot come. Peter and the others disciples had to be heart broken when Jesus told them He was going away and would be with them no longer.
He was their teacher and their friend. He had been with them constantly day and night for almost three years. They knew He was the Christ, the Son of the living God. See Mark 8:27-29. But with all His teaching and preparing them, they still seemed to think Jesus would form an earthly kingdom and rule the world.
Jesus told His disciples in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. The I am here is the first of seven self descriptions of Jesus introduced by I am and echoes Exodus 3:14, where God said, I am who I am tell them the I am has sent me to you.
In the early church, Christianity was sometimes called The Way, See acts 9:2, 19: 9-23. Many today think there are other ways to God, the one and a half billion Chinese, who believe in other Gods or no God at all, the millions of Muslims who think of Jesus as a prophet and smaller groups who have invented their own Gods.
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