Spoken in the setting of “lift up your eyes and really see,” Jesus our Lord was directly answering the earnest question of Thomas; “…how can we know the way?” by declaring: “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:5-6). A contrast of understanding spiritual vs. physical for humanity, the Way was spiritual in nature—a Way that would lead to Heaven, a way to eternal salvation.
While the way to salvation is challenging for some to understand, even more difficult is the challenge of following through the “strait gate” and the “narrow way” (Matt. 7:14). Everyone likes a freeway: wide, clear, open and easy, but the Lord said the way to Heaven would be narrow, difficult, and challenging. Jesus had called all of His disciples including Thomas to follow Him (Matt. 10:3-4). Difficult though it may be, the Lord promised help (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 4:16). Christ would be present to help as He was when Peter walked on the water (Matt. 14:28-33), and as long as His disciples would keep theireyes fixed on Him (Heb. 12:2), all would be fine. The way to the saving of one’s soul (Heb.10:39), the way to rest (Rev. 14:13), the way to soothing security (Rev. 21:4-5), and a way of sweet assurance [comfort] (II Thess. 1:7). The very real understanding from the Lord’s response is: “Follow me in this way and I’ll get you to eternal salvation.”
Jesus was the embodiment of the Truth (John 1:1-14). The Truth is God’s Word (John 17:17), and you can know the Truth (John 8:32). Today there are lots of loose references to truth. According to some everyone has “a truth.” What does this mean? The truth is and has always been exclusive, valuable, non-negotiable, unchanging, and stubborn, but very satisfying to the bearer of it. All truth emanates from God who is truth (Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18). According to Jesus only the word of God (the Truth) can save you. He is the Truth.
In addition to being “the way” and “the truth,” Jesus assured Thomas he was “the life.” The source of all life is God (Gen. 1:1-2:7). The origin of life comes from the spirit world where God dwells—the world that we know came later and by the creation of God. This is important to remember when one listens to fellow travelers on this planet. Most seemto be living for the here and now. Many even reference “the real world” as if to suggest that the physical world is all there is. The real world is the world where God dwells, and that is where Jesus is and wanted Thomas to be. He wants all others to have salvation (John 14:1-3). It is there that one will find the “tree of life” (Rev. 22:14). Jesus has the power to give abundant life (John 10:10) realized to a measure here, but complete there! “Bountiful blessings, overflowing, rich supply only deity can give” said the late brother Guy N. Woods. So what is it for which you’re looking? Is it in this life? Is it in the life to come? How about listening to the Lord, and accepting His invitation to “triple glory” as Ivor Powell referred to it in his comments on John 14:6 (John’s Wonderful Gospel). Thomas asked the way of the Lord, and Jesus answered it once and for all time. Are you looking for the way, the truth, and the life? Follow Him!
-David Hill