The Way, The Truth, and the Life

May 09, 2023

The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Way, The Truth, and the Life

By Brooke Holt

“Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:5-6

In 1969, Frank Sinatra released the song entitled “My Way”. The lyrics match the title as each verse ends with the words, “I did it my way”. Quite popular then and still considered a classic today, it was the first song to stay on the top 40 list in the UK for seventy-five consecutive weeks.

Though “released in 1969, "My Way” certainly could serve as the theme song of our day. Most people seemingly are focused on what they want and how they want it. The idea of absolute truth has been lost to a culture of “you do what is right for you”. If you know the Old Testament, you know this attitude and behavior is not new. The book of Judges ends with these words, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Clearly, something innate in humans makes us want to do it our own way.

In responding to Thomas’ question about how the disciples would know where Jesus was going, Jesus provided the sixth of his “I am” statements recorded in the Gospel of John. Here, Jesus states, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus words were very clear; there is one way, one truth, one life and it is found in him and him alone. You and I have one way to the Father and that is through Jesus. Our “I did it my way” world behavior does not align with the most accepted statements of Jesus.

Why is that? These words of Jesus are clear and exclusive. They can be hard to hear especially if one is not a follower of Jesus Christ. That these words are hard to hear or receive does not negate the truth of them. A few years ago, I heard a sermon in which the preacher used the analogy of a person who fell off an ocean liner into the sea. His lungs were filling with water, and he was beginning to sink when someone from the ship threw him a flotation device. The drowning man did not stop to consider other options or wish for another way of salvation. Instead, he grabbed hold of that device and was pulled back to the boat.

We are just like that drowning man; we were wasting away in our sin with no hope of saving ourselves. Our good Father sent his Son to make the way for our salvation. Do we grab hold of the Son and praise him for the gift of being rescued, or do we need to consider our other options? For eternal salvation, Jesus made it very clear no other options exist. He was and is the way, the only way, to the Father.

You have the option to do life and salvation your way or you can choose to do life and salvation God’s way. One way leads to a life defined and led by you while the other option leads to a life defined and led by the Lord. One way leads to eternal separation from the Lord and one way leads to eternal life with the Lord.

Reflection:

Will you choose to do life your way or Jesus’ way? Your choice makes all the difference! We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Related Resource:

Our honest prayer before God is evidence that we understand the ways He loves, cherishes, sees, and hears us. Through prayer, we can acknowledge with Hagar, “You are the living One who sees me” (Genesis 16:14). When we pray, we are affirming the same. Why do we often hide from this privilege? Why do we avoid God, the One who sees us as we are and stands ready to provide and answer us in his holy, timely way? In this 8-week study on the prayers of Job, Ruth, Hannah, and David, grow your prayer life by facing your honest need and bringing your whole self before God. Acknowledging God as the One who guides your path can change your heart. It can take you past fear and into faith, strength, and hope. Learn more about Honest Prayer.