"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." —John 14:6
After telling Peter that he will deny Him (John 13:38), Jesus encourages His disciples to “let not your hearts be troubled” (14:1). He tells them He is about to leave them to go prepare a place for them. Then He tells them about the many rooms in His Father’s house and His plan to return for them to take them with Him.
Puzzled, Thomas says, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” He’s asking a question of location. The way to where? How can we get there? Jesus doesn’t answer where, but Who. He says, “I am the way.”
The way can mean the method for doing something or the path to take to get somewhere. But when Jesus says, “I am the way,” He's saying infinitely more than I am the map, or even I am the road to get to a certain place. This section of John 14 is a stunning unfolding of who Jesus is. He reminds His disciples that He is the way to untroubled hearts (v. 1), the way to answered prayer (vv. 13-14), the way to doing the works of the Father (v. 12), the way to see the Father (v. 9), the way to have a place in the Father’s house (vv. 2-3). Not only is He the way, He is the truth, He is the life!
In Jesus, these three–the way, the truth, the life–are inextricably woven together. John Piper paraphrases Jesus’ words this way,
I go to prepare a place for you. And when I go I become the way that you get there. I am the truth that you hold onto to get there. And I am the life—the eternal life that you will enjoy when you get there. When I say, “I go to prepare a place for you,” I mean: I open the way. And I am the way. I confirm the truth. And I am the truth. I purchase the life. And I am that life. (DesiringGod.org)
To follow Jesus is to believe in Him, the word made flesh; to walk in the way that He walked, doing the will of the Father; and to anticipate eternal life with Him forever. The way, the truth, and the life aren’t destinations, they’re a person, and His name is Jesus.
For Reflection
What is your go-to when you’re facing a big decision? Do you stop first and pray? Jesus is the source of all wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2-3). Ask Him to show you the way in the dilemmas and decisions you face this week.
What false ways (worldly wisdom) tempt you to trust in things other than God?
Marvel at the treasure of knowing Jesus and ask Him to reveal more of His excellencies this week as as you meditate on Him being the way, the truth, and the life.
Candice Watters is the editor of the Fighter Verses blog. She and her husband Steve are the co-authors of Start Your Family: Inspiration for Having Babies. The Watterses have four kids ages 15-24. They live in Louisville, KY.