We are continuing to look at the I Am statements of Christ. In using the Greek form of the Hebrew Words translated as I Am, Jesus directly stated that He was the One who led the Israelites out of Egypt, and even though He was in bodily form as a man, Jesus is, in essence, God. The Lord spoke 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 said to him, ‘Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?' I love people like Thomas, who was not afraid of being honest. He wanted clarification as to what Jesus said. Thomas asked, "Where is this place you are going?" His sincere heart would not allow the thought of his Master going anywhere without him. He had 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 got the answer he was looking for. Instead of a series of directions or things to do, 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). Here again, Jesus was claiming to be the great I Am that Moses was told was the name of the creator of all things (Exodus 3:14). The words that He is the Truth and the Life support Jesus' saying that He is the Way. If we seek direction on how to be right with God, we are to look at the person of Christ. We must come to Him and let Him fill our lives, for embodied in Him are all Truth and the Life of God we need. If there was any other way to get to 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 tend to prefer a set of rules, laws, or rituals that we can perform—something we can do to earn a reward. It gives us a sense of self-accomplishment and that we are in control. But Jesus gives us no other way but Himself. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Albert Einstein, the great theoretical physicist, was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached into his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he went into his trousers pockets. It wasn't there either. He looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't 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 was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist on his hands and knees, looking 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 at him and said, "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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