Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 13:36-14:11

 

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

(NKJV)

 

It brings sadness when we need to part ways with a good friend, and grief when the departure is due to their death. Jesus has told His disciples three times of His death (Matthew 16:21, 17:22, 20:17) and now knows the time is near. In this text, we see three different reactions to this news, giving us questions to ask ourselves regarding our commitment to following Jesus Christ.

 

The text begins with Jesus' prediction of Peter’s denial. Peter asks Jesus where He is going, and Jesus tells him he cannot go where he is going now but that he shall follow Him afterward (John 13:36). This prompts Peter to ask why he cannot go with the Lord now, telling the Lord that he was willing to lay down his life for Jesus (John 13:37). Jesus responds as he often does with a question of His own, asking Peter if he would really lay down his life for Him. Then Jesus lets Peter know he will deny Him three times before the rooster crows (John 13:38).

 

Jesus then gives the disciples words of comfort by telling them not to be troubled in heart because they believe in God and Him (John 14:1). Jesus tells them there are many mansions in His Father’s house and that he is leaving to prepare a place for them which means He will return to take His bride the Church to their new home in heaven (John 14:2-3). Jesus then tells them they know where He is going and the way to get there (John 14:4). Thomas has doubts and tells Jesus they do not know where He is going nor the way to get there (John 14:5). Jesus answers Thomas by letting him know He is the way, truth, and life with no one coming to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

 

Jesus then tells the disciples that if they had known Him, they would know the Father and from now on will know Him and have seen Him (John 14:7). Philip then replies by asking Jesus to show them the Father (John 14:8). Jesus rebukes Philip, asking him has He been with them so long and yet they do not know Him, understanding that anyone seeing Jesus has seen the Father (John 14:9). Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Him with the words spoken by Jesus coming from the Father (John 14:10). Jesus tells the disciples to believe He is in the Father and the Father is in Him, or to believe Him for the sake of the works He has done (John 14:11).

 

Jesus is preparing the disciples for His departure, first through His death on the Cross and then after the Resurrection, His ascension to sit at the right hand of God the Father. Some of the disciples do not understand why this is beneficial for them.

• Peter declares he will defend and die for the Lord if necessary to keep him from suffering death. While these are bold words on the part of Peter, he will deny knowing Jesus when he is tried (John 18:1-18; Luke 22:47-62; Mark 14:43-72; Matthew 26:47-75). Will my profession of faith remain strong when tried?
• Thomas has been with Jesus throughout His ministry, yet in this final hour does not understand where Jesus is going and the way to get there. Three times Jesus has told them He is leaving (Matthew 16:21, 17:22, 20:17) with Thomas present each time. Thomas either does not believe Jesus or, like Peter, is in denial. Do I believe the words of Jesus even if they are uncomfortable to hear?
• Philip wants Jesus to show them the Father. After the miracle of healing a man born blind, where the disciples, including Philip, were present (John 9:1-7), Jesus had a discourse with the Pharisees. Scripture is unclear if the disciples were present during this discourse, but if it occurred in the temple, they probably were. In this discourse, Jesus declared He and the Father are one (John 10:30), indicating that one seeing Him has seen the Father. Philip either did not hear Jesus or did not understand that Jesus is God, part of the Trinity. Do I understand that Jesus is God?

 

Jesus, who now sits at the right hand of God the Father, is returning to take His bride, the Church, after preparing a place for them. Jesus had to come first to die for our sins so we are forgiven and prepared for eternity in the presence of God without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus then had to go and prepare a place for us in heaven so we would not be homeless there, returning to take us there (John 14:2-3). Between the time of Jesus’ ascension and return, he has given the Church a mission to spread the good news of the Gospel to all the world, making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). Join me in praying for the lukewarm church to repent of its lukewarmness (Revelation 3:14-22), and be about continuing the mission of taking the Gospel around the world and making fully devoted disciples of Christ.

 

If you are reading this and have never confessed with your mouth your genuine heartfelt belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Let someone know of your decision, or reply to this post with your decision. May God convict, challenge, and encourage everyone reading this post.