Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
This is the sixth “I Am” statement Jesus makes in the Gospel of John and it’s our theme verse for the month of August. There are a few things I want to point out:
- Jesus is the only way to the Father.
- Jesus is the truth which reveals the Father.
- Jesus if the life that brings regeneration (rebirth) to man.
As the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus was the embodiment of three basic Jewish concepts:
- The Jews knew about the way.
In Deuteronomy 31:29, Moses warned the Israelites about straying from the way after his death:
“For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you. And evil will befall you in the latter days, because you will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands.”
David asked to learn the way in Psalm 27:11:
Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a smooth path.
Isaiah spoke about God leading us in the way:
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
“This is the way, walk in it,”
Whenever you turn to the right hand
Or whenever you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21)
A few chapters later, Isaiah prophesied a return to the way:
A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass over it,
But it shall be for others.
Whoever walks the road, although a fool,
Shall not go astray. (Isaiah 35:8)
Jesus didn’t explain the way, He said, “I am the way.” Jesus didn’t give directions, He said, “I am the direction.” Jesus didn’t point His people there, He said “I will take you there.”
- The Old Covenant taught the truth.
David professed to having walked in truth:
For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Your truth. (Psalm 26:3)
David vowed to walk in God’s truth:
Teach me Your way, O Lord;
I will walk in Your truth. (Psalm 86:11)
The author of Psalm 119 chose truth:
I have chosen the way of truth. (v. 30)
A man can teach truth, but not walk in it. Jesus said, “I am the truth.” All moral perfection is found in Jesus, the truth.
- The Scriptures emphasized life.
Moses commanded Israel to choose life in Deuteronomy 30:19:
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”
David trusted God to show him the road to life:
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
Solomon said correction and instruction give life:
For the commandment is a lamp,
And the law a light;
Reproofs of instruction are the way of life. (Proverbs 6:23)
Jesus isn’t just a path to life, He said, “I am the life.” Remember that Jesus demonstrated the sixth “I Am” statement in the healing of the nobleman’s son in John 4:46-53. The nobleman believed the truth in Christ, went on his way, and his son received life (vv. 50-51).
Jesus will do the same for us. He’ll be the truth and all we need. He’ll be the way and make a way for us. He’ll give us the life we need to please Him.
Today’s blog post is from Marilyn’s master class, John: The Gospel for Real Life. For more information, please visit https://www.mentoredbymarilyn.org/
