Have you ever been lost? Really lost? Maybe you were in a new city, or out on a hike, and suddenly you realized you had no idea where to go. That feeling of confusion and uncertainty is something we all experience at some point. Now, imagine feeling lost not just physically, but spiritually, disconnected from God and unsure of how to find your way back.
Our key verse today, John 14:6, offers a powerful answer to that feeling of being lost. Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This is a bold statement, a declaration that Jesus isn’t just a way, or a truth, or a life, but the way, the truth, and the life. Let’s explore what this means.
Think about a time you needed directions to a specific place. There might have been several roads you could have taken, but only one that would get you to your destination. Jesus saying “I am the way” is like that. He’s not just offering one possible route to God; He’s saying He is the only route. This can be a challenging idea. It means that salvation, the path to being reconciled with God and finding true purpose, isn’t something we can achieve on our own, or through any other means. Jesus is the only one who can bridge the gap between us and God. He is the path, the road, the door that leads us home.
In a world where it often feels like everyone has their own version of “truth,” Jesus’ claim to be the truth is radical. Think about how often we hear people say, “That’s just your truth,” or “What’s true for you isn’t necessarily true for me.” But Jesus isn’t talking about subjective opinions. He’s talking about objective reality. When Jesus says “I am the truth,” He’s saying that He embodies God’s very nature. He is the ultimate source of all that is real and right. His words, His actions, His entire being reveal the true character of God. He is the standard by which we measure everything else.
Jesus doesn’t just show us the way and tell us the truth; He is life itself. Think about the difference between simply existing and truly living. Jesus isn’t offering us a set of rules or a philosophy; He’s offering us a relationship with the source of all life. When Jesus says “I am the life,” He’s talking about a life that is abundant, eternal, and filled with purpose. It’s a life that begins now and extends into eternity. It’s a life that isn’t just about surviving, but about thriving, about experiencing the fullness of what God intended for us.
The last part of the verse is crucial: “No one comes to the Father except through me.” This reinforces the exclusivity of Jesus’ claim. He is the only mediator between us and God the Father. It’s like having a locked door that separates you from someone you desperately want to reach, and Jesus is the only one who has the key. He is the only one who can open the door, the only one who can bring us into God’s presence. Jesus’ statement in John 14:6 is a call to embrace the fullness of who He is. It’s a call to follow Him as the only way, to trust Him as the absolute truth, and to receive Him as the source of true life.
It’s a call to stop searching in other places and to find our home in Him. It’s a call to experience the reality of God’s love and the purpose for which we were created. It’s a call to life, and life to the full.