- How do you know the right way to go? Follow Jesus, he will always lead you on the right path.
- How do you find out the truth, in any situation? Ask Jesus, he will always give you the truth.
- How can you know that you will have eternal life in heaven and enjoy abundant life on earth? Receive God’s grace and salvation, given only by Jesus.
On the night before he was crucified, Jesus met with his disciples. They didn’t know what was going to happen over the next few hours but he did. He knew that he would pour out his heart to God in prayer, then be betrayed, arrested, put on trial, beaten, mocked and ultimately crucified. He was going to the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of mankind. He was going to the cross to provide the way for us to be forgiven and to experience eternal life.
Jesus’ words were making the disciples anxious. They heard him loud and clear when he said that he was going away. They were distraught that their friend, leader and Lord was leaving. Jesus spoke to them to try to calm their fears.
“Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. You know the way to where I am going.”
“Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where You’re going. How can we know the way?”
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:1-6)
Jesus told them to not be worried. Their hearts must not be troubled. Why? Because they believed in God and they believed in Jesus, and that means they trusted in him and his plan. Their belief was a deep, heart-felt conviction. They trusted him with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength.
Jesus explained to them that where he was going (to the Father’s house) that there are plenty of dwelling places. He promised them that one day they would have a place to live in the palace of the King of kings! He said that he was going to prepare a place for them, showing his personal involvement in their eternal home (and ours!). Jesus told them that he would personally come back to receive them to himself. This shows that Jesus is personally involved in our eternal entrance into heaven.
Thomas tried to wrap his brain around all of this. He verbalized his confusion this way: “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?” He was not sure if Jesus was just going on a journey to a foreign land or something else. In answer to his question, Jesus spoke these words that are life-changing and eternity-changing for all who believe. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus declared at least these two things:
- Jesus is truly the only way to eternal life.
- Following Jesus is the only true way of life.
Jesus is truly the only way to eternal life. You cannot get to heaven any other way. We all have sinned. We all deserve to be separated from God in hell for eternity. But Jesus through his death on a cross became our substitute. He died so that we could be forgiven. He rose from the dead on the third day. He is alive, and he offers salvation to all who put their trust in him. He’s the only one who can save you.
Also, following Jesus is only true way of life. The things of this world will pass away. The parties will come to an end. The stuff you buy will break down and become a pile of rubble. Fame, fortune and fun are elusive. They never satisfy. Only Jesus satisfies. Only Jesus gives you a full and meaningful life, an abundant life. Following the way of Christ is the way we were all created to live.
Jesus is the way.
Jesus is the truth.
Jesus is the life.
Will you follow him?