We continue to examine the I Am statements of Christ. By using the Greek form of the Hebrew words translated as I Am, Jesus directly asserted that He was the One who led the Israelites out of Egypt. Even though He was in bodily form as a man, Jesus is, in essence, God. The Lord talked about who He is and why He came at the Last Supper. He said to them: "You know the way to the place where I am going" (John 14:4). The disciple Thomas responded, ‘Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?' I admire people like Thomas, who were not afraid of being honest. He sought clarification regarding Jesus's words. Thomas inquired, "Where is this place you are going?" His sincere heart would not allow him to entertain the idea of his Master going anywhere without him. He needed to know how he could follow to be with Him.
6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:6-7).
I don't think Thomas received the answer he was seeking. Instead of a series of directions or actions to take, the answer was a person- Christ Himself: "I am the way." This declaration is the sixth of the seven “I Am” statements of Christ in the Gospel of John (6:35; 6:48; 6:51; 8:12; 10:7; 10:9; 10:11; 10:14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1; 15:5). Once again, Jesus was asserting that He is the great I Am, the name of the creator of all things given to Moses (Exodus 3:14). His declaration that He is the Truth and the Life reinforces His statement that He is the Way. If we seek guidance on how to be right with God, we must look to the person of Christ. We should come to Him and allow Him to fill our lives, for within Him are all the Truth and the Life of God we need. If there were any other way to reach the Father, don’t you think He would have told us? There is no other way to be right with God. Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). As human beings, we often prefer a set of rules, laws, or rituals to perform—something we can do to earn a reward. It provides us with a sense of accomplishment and makes us feel in control. But Jesus offers us no other way than Himself. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Albert Einstein, the great theoretical physicist, was once traveling on a train from Princeton when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he reached Einstein, the physicist searched his vest pocket but couldn't find his ticket. He then checked his trouser pockets, but it wasn't there either. He looked in his briefcase, but still no luck. Then, he glanced at the seat beside him and looked again, still unable to find it. The conductor said, 'Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it. ' Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle, punching tickets. As he prepared to move to the next car, he turned back and saw the famous physicist on his hands and knees, searching under his seat for his ticket. The conductor rushed back and said, 'Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry; I know who you are; no problem. You don't need a ticket. I'm sure you bought one. 'Einstein looked up at him and replied, ' Young man, I, too, know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going."
Do you know where you are going? Can you be honest and humble enough to seek answers from Christ? He is the only way to God. Reach out today to Him. He is as near as a cry from the heart. Keith Thomas
For further reading, maybe you’d like to explore: How Do I Become a Christian or maybe what Jesus said about: “You Must Be Born Again,” or even: How Can I Be Sure of My Faith?
Taken from the Gospel of John, click on Study 28. Jesus the Way to the Father.
YouTube video teachings at: https://www.youtube.com/@keiththomas7/videos
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