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The Way, the Truth and the Life
In John 14, Jesus took the opportunity to teach His disciples a lesson as profound and far-reaching as any in human history. Jesus told them, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (v.6). The principles conveyed in this statement provide the very foundation upon which every disciple of Jesus must build their lives.
The Way – Being a Christian is not a hobby, a part-time pursuit. It is a consistent way of life, “a course of conduct, a way of thinking, feeling, deciding” (Strongs). In Matthew 7:14, Jesus described a chosen path that is narrow and difficult, one that few will find. Acts 9:2 tells us that Saul of Tarsus went to Damascus with letters from the High Priest, “so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” In His teaching and His life, Jesus embodied the manner of life and devotion to God that is absolutely necessary for every disciple.
The Truth – Many today believe that truth is relative; that in fact, there is no such thing as absolute truth. Even in Jesus’ day, there were skeptics. When Jesus told Pilate that He had come into the world to testify to the truth, Pilate asked, “What is truth?” (John 18:38) Personal opinions and preferences are prevalent in the secular world, but when it comes to moral and religious truth, things appertaining to God and the duties of man, the opinions of men count for nothing. Jesus requested of His Father, “Sanctify them in the truth, Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) The very character of Jesus is inseparable from the truth of God to the extent that John referred to the Christ as “The Word” in John chapter 1.
The Life – John 10:10 suggests that the person who accepts the guidance of the Great Shepherd can have a more abundant life now, but the ultimate goal of the Christian is to gain eternal life in heaven with God. In a very real sense, Jesus is The Life because He is the only conduit through which we may have access to God. Jesus offers us spiritual life through both His way and truth, but also as a result of His atoning sacrifice on the cross. Without Jesus’ teaching and redemption, we can anticipate only continued guilt for sin, death and destruction. When we submit humbly to Him, He freely grants us forgiveness and reconciliation. Life.
Notice the exclusivity of Jesus’ claim. He did not say He was a way, a truth and a life. He is The Way, The Truth and The Life. There is none other. In His sermon on the mount, Jesus warned, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” Mt. 7:15.
One such false prophet rose up in the 6th century AD, claiming that Jesus was a good man and a prophet, but that He was not divine. Muhammad set himself up as God’s Prophet instead and, even today, over 1.6 billion people are following him to their ultimate destruction. Jesus was, in fact, “good” but He also confirmed His divinity by the works that He performed. As He told the disciples of John, “The blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them” Mt. 11:5. Muhammad had no basis whatsoever for questioning the divinity of Jesus.
As far as God is concerned, “there is neither Jew nor Greek” Galatians 3:28. It doesn’t matter if you are from Tehran, Tel Aviv or Toledo, you must confess Jesus of Nazareth as Lord to have access to God the Father. There is no other way. There is no other truth. There is no other life.
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