“I Am the Way, the Truth & the Life”

The Setting (John 13-14) Jesus encouraged His disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:1-2b). Their faith would help to avoid being troubled (14:1b) Faith minimizes our troubles and worries (Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:33; Phil. 4:6-8; 1 Pet. 5:7). Their trust in God and in Jesus was assurance that the divine plan would work for their good (2 Cor. 5:7). The Father’s provisions and promises would relieve their anxiety (14:2a) The belief that there is a heaven increases one’s hope and helps to bear troubles (Rev. 22:1-6; 2 Cor. 5:1-11). Christ’s truthfulness relieved their worries (14:2b).

The Setting (John 13-14) Jesus encouraged His disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you” (14:2c). His going necessitated His death. This shows His love for mankind (Rom. 5:8; John 3:16; Eph. 5:25; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Gal. 1:4). The purpose of His “going” – FOR YOU! “To prepare.” He prepared a place – we prepare ourselves. God has always prepared a place for His people. What will heaven be like? (Rev. 7:15-17; 21:3, 4, 7, 8, 27; 22:1-5) “A PLACE” – a real place, not some mystical “state.” Not the earth – it will be destroyed (2 Pet. 3:8-10). What kind of place? A place where Christ is!

The Setting (John 13-14) Jesus encouraged His disciples, “I will come again” (14:3). This was the abiding hope of the first-century Christians (Tit. 2:13; 1 Thess. 4:13-18). They looked for Him (Acts 1:11; 3:21; Phil. 3:20-21). They knew He was coming, but didn’t know when (Matt. 24:36). It should be equally as exciting to us. He will come for us, not send for us. We will be with Him forever (v. 3)! This should affect our attitude toward worldly things (Col. 3:1). The apostles still did not fully comprehend (14:4-5). Jesus encouraged His disciples, “You know the way.”

The Saying (John 14:6) The Way The way where? Access to the Father. To the Father’s house. He is the “new and living way” (Heb. 10:20; cf. 9:6-12). In His own person (and in His body, the church) is the WAY to the Father’s house (Acts 4:12-13; 1 Cor. 15:24). The WAY is a Christian’s only access to God (Rom. 5:1-2; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Eph. 2:16-18; cf. John 6:38; 17:8). So distinct was “the Way” that Jesus’ disciples were known as those “of the Way” (Acts 9:1-2; 19:9, 23; 24:14). Jesus is “the way”! All other ways are false! (Prov. 14:12)

The Saying (John 14:6) The Truth Jesus is the embodiment of all that is necessary for us to know to reach heaven. He is “the Word” – the personification of all saving truth (John 1:14) and fullness of divine truth (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23; Col. 2:9) All truth comes from Him – He is the source of truth (John 1:17) As “the Truth,” Christ is The Master Teacher, expressing adequately and sufficiently the Divine Knowledge of God, directing us to “the way” (John 8:32). The Revelation of Divine Light, leading us in the fellowship of God in “the way” (1 John 1:6-7). If Jesus were not the fullness of truth and embodiment of truth, He could not be the way to the Father! (cf. John 8:32, 36; 18:37)

The Saying (John 14:6) The Life He is the source and preserver of all life (John 1:4; 5:26; 11:25). Physical life (Gen. 1:26) Spiritual life (Eph. 2:1; John 6:68; 3:16-17) Abundant life (John 10:10) Resurrection life (John 5:28-29; 11:43-44) Eternal life (John 1:11-12; 5:24; 3:36; 1 John 5:11-12) “Life and immortality” were “brought to light through the gospel” of Jesus (2 Tim. 1:10; Rom. 6:23). Only those who are “in Christ” have “newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4) as “new creatures” (2 Cor. 5:17).

The Significance If you want to go to heaven, there is only one way. And, you know the way. “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” We must believe and obey Him to reach the Father. Cannot come by Judaism (Gal. 1:13-16; 5:4). Cannot come by doctrines & commandments of men (Mt. 15:8-9) Cannot come by morality alone (Acts 10:1-3; 11:4). Cannot come by faith alone (Jas. 2:24-26; Heb. 5:8-9; 2 Th. 1:6-10). Must come by Christ (John 10:9). Eternal life may ultimately be realized only through the possession of the Son (1 John 5:12).