February 18, 2015

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

John 14:1-14

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

—  John 14:6

After a military victory, Julius Caesar boasted, "I came, I saw, I conquered." In the sixth of his "I am" statements, Jesus says something even more out­rageous, except that it's true: "I am the way and the truth and the life. "

On the eve of his betrayal, Jesus told his disciples that he would soon be leaving them. We can sense the disciples' deep fear. They had given up everything to follow him, believing he was the Messiah who would deliver God's people. At one point, Thomas interrupted Jesus and asked, "We don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Condensing his teaching into one phrase, Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Here Jesus claims beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the only way to know God the Father. No other path can bring us to the throne of the King of creation. Only in and through Jesus can we know the spiritual truth about our lives and our world—and have abundant life.

Do you accept Jesus' outrageous claim to be "the way and the truth and the life"? Live today with the blessing and confidence of knowing God's truth deep in your heart and enjoying full life in him.

Holy Spirit, work in our hearts today. Help us to trust in Jesus as “the way and the truth and the life.” Help us to live with confidence because of who he is. Amen.

About the author — Kurt Selles

Kurt Selles is the director of ReFrame Ministries and serves as the Executive Editor of Today. He is a graduate of Calvin College and Seminary, and received his PhD from Vanderbilt University. Before coming to ReFrame, he served 19 years in Taiwan and China with CRC World Missions. Kurt later taught missions at Beeson Divinity School, where he also acted as the director of the school’s Global Center. Kurt and his wife, Vicki, reside in Grand Rapids and have three adult children.

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