I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life
See full series: the-teachings-of-jesus-2020-21
I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life
Sermon by Thomas Thornhill Jr
Passage: John 14:6
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Teachings of Jesus (51)
I AM (7)
In this lesson we continue our study of the “I AM” sayings of Jesus in John. The last 2 sayings are found in some of the final teachings of Jesus prior to His crucifixion. Yet, like all of these “I AM” sayings, we find identity with Jesus.
- Background
- Likely this is the occasion when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper with His apostles. He has seen them arguing over who is the greatest again (Luke 22:24, also Mark 9:33-34, 10:35-37). So Jesus takes a pan of water and towel and begins to wash the disciples feed (John 13:1-20) – an act of total humility. He then teaches them about their need to serve one another.
Following this He announces that one (Judas Iscariot) would betray Him (John 13:21-26). Identifying him, Judas leaves to do what he planned to do (13:27-30) - This leads to a powerful discourse that He has with His disciples. Leading up to our declaration Jesus declares:
- That He is about to depart, and they cannot come to Him (then) – (13:31-35)
- He then declares Peter will deny Him 3 times (13:36-38)
- 14:1—4 – even though He is leaving, He seeks to encourage them. This is where He declares, “I go to prepare a place for you” and that He will come again to them.
- Thomas then asks, “How can we know the way” to where He is going – (14:5)
- We then have our statement, “I AM the way, the truth and the life…”
- Of course, Jesus will further explain this demonstrating how He is in the Father and the Father in Him.
- Likely this is the occasion when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper with His apostles. He has seen them arguing over who is the greatest again (Luke 22:24, also Mark 9:33-34, 10:35-37). So Jesus takes a pan of water and towel and begins to wash the disciples feed (John 13:1-20) – an act of total humility. He then teaches them about their need to serve one another.
- Jesus said to them, “I AM…”
- The Way –
- First and foremost, Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation –
- Acts 4:12, John 3:36 – it is he who believes in the Son and obeys Him that has eternal life.
- Philippians 2:9-11 – God has highly exalted Him, that at His name every knee should bow…
- And in our text – “no one comes to the Father but by Me.”
- The way of access to the Father –
- Even in context, Jesus is explaining to His disciples how He reveals God to them. Notice as you continue in the text – Philip asks, “show us the Father” (Jn. 14:8). Jesus proceeds to explain that if they have seen Him, they have seen the Father. He further develops this by noting that all He teaches is from the Father, AND the works (miracles) He did demonstrated this relationship (John 14:9-12)
- Further, recall how Jesus addressed this when He declared, I AM the door (John 10:1-4)
- Jesus is our mediator – 1 Timothy 2:5-6. He intercedes for us – Hebrew 7:25
- Jesus is our advocate – 1 John 2:1 – He is like an attorney pleading our case.
- The way we live our lives –
- Metaphorically, sometimes this word was used to refer to the “way of life” one chooses. What direction are you going to take your life? What will be its influence? Matthew 7:13-14 describes 2 paths or “ways”.
- Jesus NEEDS to be that influence!
- 1 Peter 2:21 – He left us an example, that we should follow in His steps. We can learn so much about everyday living, from attitudes, to dealings with others, to moral direction, to practical living by looking to His example.
- Acts 18:25-26 – Aquila and Pricilla explain to Apollos the way of God more accurately.
- Paul described this as “a more excellent way” – 1 Corinthians 12:31
- NOTE how disciples were called “the way” – Acts 9:2, 18:25, 19:9, 23, 24:14, 22, etc. This seems to indicate this was a regularly emphasized theme in seeking to teach others.
- Finally, consider this – Proverbs 14:12, There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
- First and foremost, Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation –
- The Truth –
- What is truth? Recall this question was asked by Pilate. (John 18:38). It is actually a good question.
- Truth is defined by this word as that which is real or actual. It is also the opposite of anything that is false, INCLUDING falsehood. Which is why this word reveals both Him and His teaching. He was true in what He taught and in what He was!
- There was nothing artificial about Jesus, OR that which He offered to others, OR the words that He taught.
- It was His truth that He shared with His apostles and challenged them to share it with others.
- John 17:17, “Your word is truth.” It was a point of emphasis as He interacted with the Jewish leaders, and others. Even in His declaration in the sermon on the mount, Jesus was declaring this fact.
- The word “truth” is found 25 times in the gospel of John.
- Jesus came to reveal the truth – Consider the introduction of Jesus in the gospel of John – see John 1:1-2 where He is called, “the Word”. Then notice John 1:14, where this Word became flesh… He was “full of grace and truth”.
John 1:17 – Grace and truth came through Jesus
His disciples got it (though not fully until later) – John 6:68 they came to know that He had the words of life.
His enemies and critics refused it. John 5:39-40 notes how they searched the scriptures, but then ignored their teachings concerning Jesus.
Ephesians 4:21 tells us that the truth is in Jesus.
Among the attacks against Him was His bold declaration of truth. Jesus even noted that they despised Him because He told them the truth (john 8:40). - His truth frees us – John 8:32 – “you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” Jesus addressed this as He said, I AM the light of the world.
- His truth is obeyed – John 3:21, as Jesus speaks to Nicodemus He notes that “He who does the truth comes to the light…” This demonstrates that truth is not just a concept, but rather something that can require action.
Romans 2:8 speaks of those who do not obey the truth… and the indignation they face.
Are we walking in truth? Cf. Ephesians 5:9 it is part of the fruit of the Spirit, and our armor (Ephesians 6:14). - It is in this truth that we worship Him – John 4:23-24.
- What is truth? Recall this question was asked by Pilate. (John 18:38). It is actually a good question.
- The Way –
- The life –
- This is obviously in contrast to spiritual death.
- Jesus is the way to eternal life. 1 John 5:11-12 – life is in the Son. Romans 6:22-23 notes that when we are slaves of God, it will produce fruit to holiness, “and in the end eternal life.” Then note vs. 23.
He also addressed this is the raising of Lazarus when He declared I AM the resurrection and the life. - Jesus is the way to life abundant – John 10:10, a passage we have noted a few times in discussing these I AM sayings. Be reminded the life Jesus offers is just enough to get by, but abundant life – both eternally and spiritually in this life.
- Tying these together – more than one source has emphasized Jesus’ declaration that He is the way as the primary focus of this passage. That is to say, “I am the true and living way”, which is absolutely true.
So what does this mean to us? While we still have one more I AM declaration, in this one we have a summary of who Jesus is to us. We have seen this tied to much of what Jesus has said prior. No wonder we ought to put our trust in Him. What about you? Is He the true and living way to you? Have you obeyed the gospel? Remember that it is in baptism that we are “raised to walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4) And then we simply follow the way He has prepared for us until we reach the finish line of our life where He, the author and finisher of our faith, is waiting (Hebrews 12:1-2). Think about it!