I Am

John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

This phrase spoken by Jesus is perhaps the most profound statement in the entire Bible! We have come to understand that all of Scripture points to the Lord Jesus Christ. The implications of this statement is that all metaphysical and objective reality is grounded in His person, essence, and character.

From birth, we all have a sense of purpose. We are on some road trying to reach a specific destination based on our particular assignment in life. When I was younger, I was constantly searching for meaning and purpose. I was trying to find the right road to fulfill my sense of calling and yearning for truth. I was always searching for “the way, the truth, and the life.” I was never happy with any of my experiences in this world until the day I met the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you know about God, or do you know His ways?

If a child loves basketball and gets excited when someone scores a point, that is not sufficient for him to begin playing with skill. Somebody must show him how to play the game. That child has to learn the fundamentals, the techniques, and the rules in order to play the game. There are many people who love basketball but are unable to play skillfully on an actual court with a team in a real game.

Likewise, it is not enough to say we believe in God or love God. We need to know how to love God and how to follow God. We need to know the ways of God.

According to John 14:6, Jesus is not only the destination in terms of how to understand and grow in the knowledge of God. He is also the process of how a person gets to know God.

Here is another example. We have as our goal a destination when we are driving a car. A GPS helps show us the way to get to our final point. (The process is also the destination.)

Jesus is not only our final destination, but He is the way. He is the GPS to show us how we get to our destination.

Consequently, we must realize that Heaven is not our final destination or goal. Our goal is to forever be with Jesus and like Jesus (Romans 8:29).

In John 14:1-6, Thomas asked Jesus how they (the disciples) can be with Him by knowing His paths to where He was going. Jesus’ answer was profound. He told Thomas, you already know the way. He had already said to them, “I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am, you may also be.” Hence, Jesus had already told Thomas that it was up to Him to bring his disciples along the way.

I Am the Way

To know the way of God is to know Jesus. Having a relationship with Jesus through salvation is the starting point. After that, getting to know Jesus, growing in the faith, and abiding in Jesus is the Christian way.

Thomas was looking for a roadmap to go to heaven or to the eternal abode with Jesus. Jesus told him that He was the roadmap. He is the way.

Religion is just about giving instructions, moralism, and outward form and behavior. This would be an easier path for most people because they do not need inner transformation. However, Jesus is calling for a lot more than just outward forms of obedience. He is calling for people to walk with Him, know Him, and be like Him. This is the way and summary of the faith.

Consequently, Christianity is not just doctrine, confessions, or the memorization of creeds. Christianity is about the person, Jesus Christ.

I Am the Truth

Jesus did not just teach the truth. He is the truth!

Knowing the doctrines of the Bible is important. However, we must understand that all the doctrines of the Bible should ultimately point to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is possible to know about the truth without personally knowing the truth because truth is not an ideal. Truth is a Being. Jesus is the truth personified.

Jesus even said it is possible to study the Scriptures and lack true knowledge of God (John 5:39). Hence, Jesus is not just a good teacher who taught humanity about the truth. His life, being, essence, and purpose are the truth.

In this world, there are numerous brilliant scientists, philosophers, composers, literary giants, musicians, playwrights, and award-winning movie producers who can depict creation and humanity. However, they can miss the whole point of reality if they do not point to Jesus.

In Colossians 2:8-10, Paul warns us. He says, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him, the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” According to the passage, the archetypes, the spiritual beings who rule the world, must submit to Jesus, in whom is the fullness of the Godhead.

I Am the Life

1. Jesus is the life because He is the originator of all natural and spiritual life (John 1:3-4).
2. Jesus is the life because He fills us with an eternal life that never dies (John 3:16).
3. Jesus is the life because He sustains us with His love and power so we can have an abundant life (John 7:38, John 10:10).

Thus, without Jesus, even if a person is physically healthy, he is a dead man. John said he who believes in the Son has life and he who has not the Son has not life but the wrath of God abides in him (John 3:36).