John 14:1-14- The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Explanation- Let us first notice the direct connection that Christ draws between Himself and the Father. He tells the disciples to, ‘believe in God’ and to believe also in Him. This may seem subtle, but in this statement He is claiming equality with the Father. He is saying to them that they are to believe in Him in the same way that they believe in the Father. Christ and the Father are one, this is the reason why He responds to Philip the way that He does. Philip asks to see the Father, but Christ, knowing that He and the Father are one, replies by saying that because they had seen Him they have indeed seen the Father.

In verse six we have arguably one of Christ’s most famous statements. ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ This statement deserves our greatest attention and adoration, for it is here that Christ claims absolute exclusivity. He is the ONLY way to the Father, he ONLY truth revealed by God which grants men the ONLY assurance of eternal life. All roads do not lead to Rome. This is what separates Christianity from every other religion in the world. Christ is the only name under heaven by which men may be saved. Many have come proclaiming the way to eternal life, but only Christ has made that way possible. Rather than living a moral life and hoping for eternal life, Christ has said to believe in Him, and it will be given. This belief is the mere spark of a lifetime of sanctification and conformity to the image of Christ.

Application- The exclusivity of Jesus Christ is a truth to be dearly held by saints of all time. We serve a God who demands our entire devotion and affections. Let us not be ashamed of this great truth. While others may mock and tease, we must be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us. If Christ has been revealed to us what else can we do? He is the God of all creation and the Lord of all men, whether they acknowledge Him or not. It is our privilege to proclaim Him without fear of what men may think. If we are truly loving as Christ has called us, then the persecution we may face is a small price to pay in the face of true love and concern for our fellow man. Even more so, we seek to glorify our King. Whether men will be saved or not is God’s business, but the work of evangelism and the proclamation of the Gospel of peace is ours. Jesus Christ is the only way to the kingdom, and He is worthy of all glory and honor and praise!