"I AM" the Way, the Truth, and the Life - The Savior's Proclamation
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Introduction
Introduction
I want to finish the “I AM” saying of Christ in John 14:6 this evening. We were interrupted in that study by the arrival of little Miss Mawson. She was a welcomed interruption. For that reason, we never finished our study of John 14. So, this evening, I plan to wrap it up so we can proceed to the next “I AM” saying of Christ in John’s Gospel.
So, take your Bibles and turn with me to John 14. We will read the first 6 verses together and then get right into our study.
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
We left off at verse 4 last time we were studying this passage. We want to pick up with Christ’s ending statement there. He said to them:
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Remember that Peter asked the Lord this question at the end of chapter 13.
36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
Peter’s question was in response to the Lord’s revelation in John 13:33 where He revealed:
33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
Peter’s question was sincere. Along with the other disciples, he was somewhat perplexed at the thought of Christ’s leaving. Thus, the natural response is always to ask where He would be going. Peter followed Christ’s answer, “thou canst not follow me now” with another question.
37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
The answer to that question was given to all of them in John 14:1-3. No doubt they were indeed troubled by what He had revealed to them. Thus, Christ responded with:
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In the meantime, they also had a task. The disciples could not come with Him because He was going back to Heaven to make the necessary preparations for their arrival. Later, Christ would commission them to:
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
A commission that still exists even as Christ is preparing for our arrival. So the answer to Peter’s questions is John 14:4. Look again at that verse.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Where was the “whither?”
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
The “whither” was the “Father’s house.” And, as we can surmise, the way is how a person can arrive in the same place - the Father’s house.
Now comes Thomas’ question.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Thomas missed all that the Lord just said. Even though Christ spoke plainly, He was still misunderstood by Thomas and, I imagine, others. Remember that Thomas was a very pragmatic individual. He was a genuine “matter of fact” kind of guy. Thus, in his mind, if the Father’s house was the destination, then he wanted to know just how do you get there. Is there a road? Where does the road start? How long is it? He wanted all the practical details. Too many times, we are quick to judge Thomas. I believe the reason we do is that we readily identify with him. However, before we pronounce judgment on him, let’s also remember that Christ had not yet imparted the Holy Spirit to them. Remember Christ’s promise in John 16:13.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
So similarly, we, as believers, have no excuses for ignorance. We have the Holy Spirit. Yet, in the moment of our text, Thomas did not have the enlightening power of God’s Spirit within him. Thus, in his ignorance and with a pragmatic way of thinking, he naturally asks, “whither thou goest and how can we know the way?”
Now comes one of the most prolific answers given in God’s Word! It is the next “I AM” saying. It is also the center of our study.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Before we dive into this verse, let me remind you of this one thing. At the beginning of this study, I hammered home that the phrase “I Am” is crucial. Why is it important? Each time Christ said “I Am,” it was a glaring divinity statement, especially for the Jew. The first time that God revealed Himself to the nation of Israel was when He appeared to Moses in the burning bush. It was there that Moses inquired to what name God wanted to be known to Israel. God replied to Moses saying:
14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Christ’s answer in John 14:6 starts with the words “I AM.” In doing so, Christ once again made it clear that He was indeed God. He was the God of Israel - Jehovah God. From there, He gives us three characteristics that identify Him. Jehovah God is the way, the truth, and the life.
Long before Adam and Even sinned, they enjoyed perfect fellowship and communion with God. A communion that possessed three essential privileges. Each of these is a crucial quality.
Man’s path (way) to God was clear and straight.
Man’s knowledge (understanding) of God was accurate and unfeigned.
Man’s life was spiritual and eternal.
However, as we know, man’s sin ruined that relationship. His path to God was blocked, and being alienated from God. If you recall, Adam and Eve hid from God. Their way to God was now obstructed by sin. From that moment on, man’s ability to perceive the truth was tainted by sin. Adam and Eve made fig-leaf aprons thinking they could hide their guilt and sin. And, in the end, God cast them from the garden, keeping them from the tree of life. They became spiritually dead.
Since that day, every person born into the world has been born with this same three-fold condemnation. Thus, they require reconciliation, illumination, and regeneration. Christ then became the perfect Savior. He is the way to the Father; He is Truth incarnate, and He is Life to all who believe in Him. So, for a few minutes, let’s consider each of these.
“I AM the way”
“I AM the way”
John 14:6 (KJV 1900)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Going back to Adam’s dismissal from the garden, man’s attempts to gain Heaven on his own are numerous. First, men tried bringing their own type of sacrifice (Cain). Afterward, men tried building a tower into Heaven (tower of Babel). Even today, men still try making their own way into Heaven. They attempt to enter Heaven by resolutions, reformations, prayers, and tears. They use religion, good works, and many other means to reach Heaven. All their attempts are vain and futile. It is impossible to get to Heaven without Christ. He is the One Who spans the distance between God and sinners.
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.
On top of all this is the fact that Satan seeks to keep man centered on his own attempts to reach the Father’s house.
Yet, amid men’s attempts and Satan’s efforts, God loved us and provided us with a Way back to Him. It is incredible to think of how Christ came all the way down from Heaven to us. Yes, we can’t come to God. Our path is blocked by our sin. Yet, in the person of His Son, God came down to us. Christ then is the way. He is the only way to Father, Heaven, and eternal life.
“I AM the truth”
“I AM the truth”
John 14:6 (KJV 1900)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Christ is God’s complete and final revelation to men. Once again, I take you back to the garden of Eden. Remember when Satan initiated his conversation with Eve. It was a conversation full of lies. They were lies that Eve believed and led to Adam and Eve’s sin. Since that day, men grope about in ignorance and error.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: They know not at what they stumble.
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
You may recall when Christ stood before Pilate that Pilate asked this question.
38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
Men seek the truth. Some think they will find it in education. Others seek it in science. There are even those who believe that truth lies in men themselves. However, Scripture is quite clear that truth is found only in Christ. He is TRUTH! He revealed God. In doing so, He exposed man. Many have often wondered why the Jews hated Him so. The reason is simple. It is the same reason why many still hate Him today. He was completely righteous in all He said and did, for He is TRUTH. As the LIGHT of TRUTH, He exposed man’s sinful and wicked ways. Yes, some accepted Him as TRUTH through placing faith in Him. However, the majority rejected Him.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
It is amazing to think that men can understand science and build wonderful inventions like we have today, but, yet, they cannot comprehend Christ.
“I AM the life”
“I AM the life”
John 14:6 (KJV 1900)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Not only did Christ span the way back to God and is the full revelation of God, He is also the liberator from death. Again, Scripture teaches us repeatedly that man is born spiritually dead. Every person born into this world lives according to the course of this world. They have no love for the things of God. They have no fear of Him. Neither do they have any desire for His glory. Men are completely self-centered. Their whole world revolved around their own selfish desires and wants. Yes, they are physically alive, but have absolutely no spiritual life. The description of the prodigal son in Luke 15:24 aptly sums up their life.
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
There is only one way to pass out of death and into life.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Note the only way is to HEAR God’s words and BELIEVE on Jesus Christ.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Let me sum this up with these thoughts.
“I AM the way” speaks to the fact that Christ is more than a mere Guide; He Himself is the WAY to the Father.
“I AM the truth” means that Christ is more than just a Great Teacher; He Himself is the TRUTH about God.
“I AM the life” demonstrates that Christ is more than just the Good Physician; He Himself is SPIRITUAL LIFE.
Now comes the last statement of John 14:6.
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
He is the only way to God. There is no other way. It is one hundred percent impossible to obtain God’s favor by our own efforts.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Praise God for His unspeakable Gift!
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.