Day 10: Jesus Is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Read John 14:5-8
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Reflect
The words, “I am” in the Greek are “Egō eimi”. The “I am” sayings in John’s gospel are a way in which Jesus teaches about His divinity (i.e., that He is God). The religious leaders of His day understood what Jesus was saying and that is why, in some cases, they tried to execute Him. They believed that Jesus should be punished for speaking blasphemy. (John 5:17-18; John 8:19; John 17:20-21). Let’s look at the three ways Jesus identifies Himself in this passage.
- The Way: In the Greek, the word “way” is “hodos,” meaning a path or route. Jesus used the definite article to distinguish Himself as “the only way.” The disciples had expressed their confusion about where He was going and how they could follow. As He had told them from the beginning, Jesus was again telling them (and us) “follow me.” There is no other path to heaven, no other way to the Father. Jesus is not just a guide or a good teacher. He is Himself the door, the road, the only way through whom we must go to access God.
- The Truth: In the Greek, the word “truth” is “alētheia.” Again, Jesus used the definite article to emphasize Himself as “the only truth.” He is not “a” truth or an “option” to eternal life, but He says He is the only truth.
- The Life: In the Greek the word “life” is “zōē.” Again, Jesus uses the definite article to say that He is the life, not one of many options to follow.
Previously, Jesus had just been telling His disciples about His impending death, but now He was claiming to be the source of all life. When someone decides to follow Jesus, Jesus becomes the root of that person’s life, in both soul and body (Colossians 2:7).
How do you respond to someone making the claim that He is the only way, the only truth and the only source of all life? This is what Jesus is saying about Himself. Many in the world today say that Jesus was a prophet, a good man or one of the many ways to eternal life. But, Jesus is saying that He is the only way. Was Jesus in fact God incarnate and the only way to eternal life or was He a liar?
The “I am” sayings in John’s gospel are a way in which Jesus teaches about His divinity. Many in the world today say that Jesus was a prophet, a good man or one of the many ways to eternal life. But, Jesus is saying that He is the only way.
Respond
Spend a few minutes and meditate on what Jesus is saying to you about who He is. If you do believe, as Jesus says, that He is the only way, how does that impact your life today? Are you rooted in Christ as written in Colossians 2:7? “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” How does it help you in sharing with others about eternal life? Thank Him for being the way, the truth and the life for you.
Example: Write John 14:6 down on a piece of paper or your electronic device and take it with you today. Read it throughout the day to meditate on the truth Jesus said about Himself.