Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. [John 14.6]
How are we, as Christ followers, to live on this earth? How do we find our way to God? Well now, that was Thomas' question here in the context of John 14.6!
It is simple: live like Jesus.
I think we have looked at John 14.6 the wrong way for too long! For Jesus to say, "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." was to say, "I am the way, the truth, and the life YOU ARE TO LIVE.
It seems we have interpreted John 14.6 to make Jesus nothing more than a passageway to God. But is that what Jesus said? Is that consistent with everything else Jesus said? No.
Jesus constantly talked about His followers being "in Him." Jesus defined that even in this same chapter in verses following:
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]
And consider John 15.5:
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
When Jesus said, "I am the way..." He was telling us that His life is our example! We don't need to 'wonder' what God's will is for our lives - we need to follow the example of Jesus! Think! Jesus even said it - "I am the way, the truth, and THE LIFE."
If we really want to know how to live, we have Jesus' life on full display how to do it.
This begins to bring new light on Jesus' words:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]
"But we can't all do that!" might be our argument. "We can't all quit our jobs and just go around preaching and teaching all day long to anyone who will listen!"
Oh, we don't have to worry about that - that is why Jesus said:
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” [Matthew 22.14]
The "chosen" few are those who willingly respond to the call of the Master and follow Him. The rest are those whose proud hearts convince them that they do not have to "give up their own way..." in order to follow Jesus - in order to live His life, His truth, and His way on the earth.
Ouch, ouch, ouch!
Here's the deal: we are so consumed with the preservation of ourselves that following Jesus - literally like the disciples did - is inconceivable to us. The very thought of living in that kind of faith "hardens" our proud un-submitted hearts and, like the rich young ruler, we turn away from the LORD of Glory:
But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. [Matthew 19.22]
Father, I don't want to turn away sad! Please keep working with me - changing me - calling me...
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