Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (Jn. 14:6). This simple, concise statement reveals some important truths.
Jesus is the Way. He is the path we are to take. He left “an example for you to follow in His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). This is not necessarily an easy path. After all, the example He left was one of “no sin” (1 Pet. 2:22). To be Christ-like, we must strive for perfection (Mt. 5:48). John wrote, “so that you may not sin” (1 Jn. 2:1). Of course, there are provisions made if we do sin (1 Jn. 2:1; Acts 8:22). But the goal is perfection.
Just as Jesus did, we must take up our cross (Lk. 9:23). This means we must sacrifice our life (Rom. 12:1) and live for Him. “A man’s way is not in himself” (Jer. 10:23). We must follow the way of Christ.
Jesus is the Truth. Later, Jesus says that the word of God is truth (Jn. 17:17). Jesus was the Word in the flesh (Jn. 1:1,14). He came “to testify to the truth” (Jn. 18:37). The word and message that Jesus taught was true because it came from the source of truth — Jesus Christ Himself.
Notice that Jesus said, “the truth” — one truth, not one of many. Truth is not subjective. God and His word are right, no matter what we say or think (Rom. 3:4). We must simply believe and accept what God has said. His word (the truth) will be the standard by which we will be judged (Jn. 12:48).
Jesus is the Life. Jesus came that we “may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn. 10:10). This abundant life is not the “health and wealth gospel” that many false teachers proclaim. It is “that which is life indeed” (1 Tim. 6:19) — eternal life.
Jesus’ mission in coming to earth was to reconcile man and God (Eph. 2:16; Rom. 5:10-11). To do this, He had to deal with the problem that caused the separation — sin (Is. 59:1-2). In dealing with the problem of sin, He made eternal life possible (Rom. 6:23).
There is No Other Way. After stating that He was the way, truth, and life, Jesus said, “no one comes to the Father but through Me” (Jn. 14:6). If we want to get to the Father, it must be through Christ (Eph. 2:18). Peter said, “there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Are you willing to follow His way, accept His truth, so you can have life in Him?
Andy Sochor