The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Some people say, “Religions are like rivers. All of them flow into the same sea.” This kind of understanding is popular in our world today. When we proclaim that Jesus alone grants salvation, some people get offended and claim that we are intolerant. If we don’t allow others to practice their beliefs, that’s intolerance. But if we proclaim the truth of the Bible, that’s not intolerance. Rather, it is intolerant to attack us for simply practicing and proclaiming what the Bible says. In our pluralistic world, we must humbly and boldly affirm the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. John 14:6 affirms that salvation is through Christ alone.

We can see three profound truths from this sixth ‘I AM’ saying of Christ. The first truth is: Jesus is the way (John 14:6). Here, Jesus makes an exclusive claim. But this is not the first time that God makes exclusive claims. Even in the Old Testament, God makes exclusive claims. The first of the ten commandments says “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Also, only the high priest could enter through the curtain into the holy of holies (Exodus 26:33; Leviticus 16). God rejected strange fire, that is, humans’ means to approach God (Leviticus 10:2). Jesus proclaims that he is the exclusive way to God, “No one comes to the Father except through me“ (John 14:6b). Jesus is the only way to the Father.

The second truth we can learn from the sixth ‘I AM’ saying is: Jesus is the truth (John 14:6).At the beginning of his Gospel, John says that Jesus is full of truth (1:17). Before we came to Christ, we were ignorant and living in darkness (Ephesians 4:18). But, praise God, the truth that Jesus gives set us free from the bondage of sin (John 8:32). Yes, there are elements of truth in other religions, but Jesus alone is the embodiment of the complete truth of God. Jesus alone reveals God (John 1:14, 17; 5:33; 8:40, 45-46; 14:9; 18:37). Truth is both exclusive and inclusive. Jesus alone is the truth (exclusive element). But this truth is available to everyone (inclusive element) who believes (John 3:16). Since Jesus is the truth, we can trust him and his Word. As disciples of Christ, we must be people of truth. Our lives must be marked with moral integrity.

The third truth we can learn from the sixth ‘I AM’ saying is: Jesus is the life (John 14:6). Jesus is the way because he is the life. In John’s Gospel, “life” often refers to “eternal life.” Earlier, John writes that all life was created by Christ (1:3). Jesus has life in himself (1:4). Since Jesus has life, he gives eternal life to those who believe in him (3:16). Before we received Christ, we were dead in our trespasses (Ephesians 2:1). We lived physically, but spiritually we were dead. But, praise God, Jesus graciously granted us eternal life. First John 5:20 says that Jesus is “the true God and eternal life.” I don’t follow Jesus because he gives me a good life, I follow him because he himself is life! Jesus is the life!

Proclaim the uniqueness of Christ in this pluralistic world.