Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
(John 14:6, NASB)
The Bible as a whole is a set of directives pointing the way to God—and, in a sense, the way back to the Garden of Eden where our first parents walked in fellowship with their Creator. Scripture is not simply about saving ourselves by following directions. We don’t have the insight to find the right path, nor the inner power to walk it. That’s why Jesus’s disciple Thomas admitted that he didn’t know the way, even though he was close to the Master (John 14:5).
Many Scripture writers attested to the fact that God would send One who would show the way. Moses testified that God would send someone greater than Himself to teach the way (Deuteronomy 18:18). Isaiah spoke of a great light for the Gentiles who would shine in the darkness (Isaiah 9:2). Matthew declared that this promise was fulfilled when Jesus appeared, the Christmas event we celebrate (Matthew 4:16).
Jesus declared: “‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me’” (John 14:6). This was His reply to Thomas who had said he didn’t know the way to the Father. Jesus’ answer seems too strong for many today. People shy away from any exclusive claims. He was not simply referring to His teaching or manner of life, but to Himself as the One who enables us to live the way God wants.
It’s nice to have a fishing guide when we fish unfamiliar waters, or an experienced guide showing the way up a mountain. Jesus not only knows the way, He is the way, He is the truth, and He is the life that makes following the way a possibility, by living His life in us. When you have a guide, it makes sense to trust him, trust his judgment, experience, and expertise. Jesus has all of that and more. Trust Him!