I am the way truth and life4/30/2024 ![]() ![]() The disciples know how to arrive where Jesus is going because they know Him-they know "the Way" because that Way is Jesus. Rescue from sin comes through Jesus, not rituals, or accomplishments, or personal virtue. ![]() Paul memorably restates that salvation comes through a person in 2 Corinthians 4:6. That is how we are meant to know God (John 14:7). We cannot strive to earn heaven, we can only seek to follow Christ. It is through-and only through-the person of Christ. This is true because the means of salvation is not a process, it is a person. Jesus did not tell the disciples they knew the destination-in fact, He said He would come to get them (John 14:3)-but they know "the way" there (John 14:3–4). Our sinful natures make it impossible to behave in a way that reconciles us to God (Romans 3:20). But salvation cannot be accomplished by good works (Titus 3:5). Thomas' question (John 14:5) assumes the normal pattern of human accomplishment: we determine an end goal and work accordingly. ![]() Prior to the label "Christians" (Acts 11:26), faith in Jesus was often referred to as "the way" (Acts 24:14). In the prior verse (John 14:5), Thomas asked a reasonable question: if we don't know where we're going, how can you say we know the way there? Christ's answer reinforces a doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, as well as denying there are "many paths" to God. Travel home is usually much less stressful than the outbound trip, since we're so much more familiar with the destination (Romans 8:18 Hebrews 12:2). Confidence comes to Christians, in part, from knowledge that Jesus is preparing to take us to be with Him. These words also broadly encourage believers to maintain faith in the face of hardship. Jesus is preparing His disciples with reassurance, in advance of His arrest and death (John 14:1–4). Few verses are cited as often as this Scripture. ![]()
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