I love the description that Jesus gives us of himself in John 14:6. Each word in the verse tells us something significant about him. He has been with His disciples and He is trying to prepare them for his leaving. They should have been able to put two and two together and understand where he was going, but they did not. He was trying to comfort them and encourage them, but they were not thinking in the spiritual/heavenly realm. He knows they will need strength for the days ahead.
As he answers them His words are the words of John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Once, and for all time, he is reiterating what He has been teaching them for the past three years. They had listened, but they didn’t comprehend it. Now he makes it a little clearer.
The I Am signifies he is saying He is deity. He is equal with God. The Jews knew this, and I’m sure they were not happy with this statement.
Next, He tells them that He is The Way. Not a Way, but the only Way. The only way to get to the Father is through the Son. Notice He does not make provision for the rituals and religions of those around Him. The Jews knew the Messiah was to come, they just didn’t want it to be Him. When Jesus stated He was The Way it infuriated those who had taught and practiced keeping a set of rules and regulations as a path to God the Father. The way to Heaven is not a plan, a principle, or a force. It is a person. It is a personal relationship with the person of Jesus Christ.
He moves from the way to the truth. He proclaims he is the truth. Not that He is telling the truth, but that He is Truth! All truth begins with Him. He is the “Word” which communicates the essential nature of God’s being. He is the embodiment of truth, the very essence of truth personified. All truth must begin with God the Son.
Finally, He is the Life! If he is the only way to the Father, and the essence of Truth, then he is the only means of having eternal Life.
John 1:4 “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
John 11:25 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”
John 11:26 “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
Each of these verses repeats the central theme that Jesus is the only way to eternal life with God. Don’t try to complicate salvation by adding things to it, or thinking your works merit your eternal life. He is the way, the truth, and the life and it is that simple. You either trust and believe what He says by simple faith, or you will miss Heaven.
Have you experienced the Way? Not just a way, but Christ, as the path to eternal life. Have you experienced the Truth? Has the Holy Spirit made it clear to you that Jesus is the beginning of truth itself? Are you living the Life, allowing it to control you and guide you through your day? If not, you can now. He is waiting to make himself known to all. He loves you and wants to be your Savior.
