Janelle Esker Many long years ago, when I was in seventh grade, I went to sleep away church camp for the very first time. It was called Mt. Misery, no kidding, what could they possibly have been thinking? There was a song that we sang, called I am the Resurrection and the Life, He who believes in me will have a new life. Upon reflection, it was the earliest moment I thought about Jesus being the way, the truth, and the life.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” – John 14:1-7
What did Jesus mean when he said he was the way, the truth, and the life?
This is a moment of beauty, an invitation, and a declaration. Jesus is speaking of eternal life, of our being born into heaven from our earthly death. He speaks clearly of “the way” of salvation and discipleship, learning the truth which is Christ Jesus. No more separation between those he loves. He is speaking as both a man and as God and shows us that it is only in and through him, that we gain life.
The so-called exclusivity of verse 7 seems to cause people problems and I can understand, especially for compassionate souls. The very idea of any person perishing is a troublesome thought. It is however meant to be a comfort. Check out verse 1. Jesus is speaking to his followers so that, their hearts will not be troubled.
The fact that no one comes to the Father except through Jesus results from his supreme act of love on the cross. His death and resurrection are meant to make a way, instead of being separated from God, Jesus provides “The Way” for us to be together in the here and now and for eternity.
Everything matters to God.
The way of Jesus should permeate
and influence and shape every
facet of your life.
John Mark Comer
Jesus is the truth, the very word of God, this is a finite statement. We find it easy to embrace that Jesus means life to those who belong to him. He and all his ways are life-giving. It is a more abstract concept to contemplate exactly what is meant by “The Way”.
Early Jewish Christians referred to themselves as “The Way” (ἡ ὁδός), possibly coming from Isaiah 40:3, “prepare the way of the LORD” or from the book of Acts verse 24:14. “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets”.
There are other references to “The Way” in Scripture…
- Saul asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Acts 9:2
- But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. Acts 19:9
- I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women. Acts 22:4
- But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets. Acts 24:14
Simply put, I believe that “the way” has two meanings. It refers firstly, to Jesus being the only way to find salvation in God which leads to eternal life. If you want to go to heaven, Jesus is your only option. The second meaning is just as majestic and refers to the slow and dedicated process of becoming like Jesus. Some people call this sanctification and others discipleship. I call it Christ-Centered Slow Living.
When we put our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus we become his disciples. Isn’t that just magnificent!?! Becoming a disciple of Jesus is a way of life. It is both spiritual and physical in nature. When we follow Jesus Christ in every area of our life, we choose to become his disciple and a follower of “The Way”.
Go Deeper…
YOUR TURN…
Which is the hardest for you? The Way, the Truth or the Life?
Peacefully Yours,
Janelle
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