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Portraits of Jesus |
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In the fourteenth chapter of John, Jesus made one of the most significant claims ever during his brief three-year ministry. It was here that Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6). This particular claim of Jesus is so unique because it is one of the most comprehensive statements of who he is and what he came to do. Every word was full of associations and promises that were connected with the coming of the Messiah.
A more correct translation of this passage, according to the proper Hebrew idiom, would be, "I am the true and living way." This would make the first two nouns ("the truth" and "the life"), adjectives which would describe the last noun ("the way"). In essence, Jesus was saying, "I am the true way, and I am the living way." It would be through Jesus of Nazareth that mankind would find the way that leads back to a loving and merciful God, for he alone is "the true and living way."
However, centuries before Jesus made this great claim, the Psalmist prayed, "Teach me Your way, O Lord" (Psalms 27:11; 86:11). And the prophet Isaiah heard Jehovah say, "This is the way, walk in it" (Isaiah 30:21). Here then was the great promise of a way of holiness, a path that would lead to life, and one from which man could never stray if he hoped to see Jehovah. It was also to be a path or way which would be so easy to see that even the most simple could find (Isaiah 35:8).
Following the establishment of the Lord's church in Acts chapter two, and the flourishing of Christianity throughout Palestine and the far regions of the Roman Empire, the disciples of Christ were commonly said to be of "the way" (Acts 9:2; 19:9). In two letters written by the apostle Paul he speaks of the new and living way which Jesus opened for us to the presence of the Father (Hebrews 10:19), and by which both Jew and Gentile now have access to God through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:18).
Perhaps the most significant thing about Jesus' statement is not to be seen in what he said, but rather in what he did not say. For example, he did not say, "I have come to show you the way," or "I have come to open for you the way." These are statements that we might make to those lost in their sins. We would have to say that we can show them the way, and open their understanding of the way, but Jesus claimed something far greater. He said "I am the way."
Jesus also said, "I am the truth," a phrase which was full of meaning to both Jew and Greek.
To the Jews, the ways of the Lord have always been full of mercy and truth (Psalms 25:10; 31:5; 86:15). The word most commonly used for truth in these Old Testament passages means fidelity, reliability, trustworthiness and faithfulness. It is truth in the sense that a lover would say, "I will be true to you." In essence, Jesus was claiming to be truth incarnate, one in whom we can completely trust without any reservation, and one in whom we will never be disappointed.
To the Greeks the word truth carried with it the meaning of that which is not false, unreal or counterfeit.
Therefore, when Jesus claimed to be "the truth," he was saying that we can place our complete trust and confidence in him, for he is real and authentic. But again, Jesus did not simply claim to "speak truth," or to "be truthful and faithful." Rather he said, "I am the truth," a claim that he alone is the truth that enables mankind to know and understand the way to God. This is something that only one who possessed deity would be capable of giving.
Finally, Jesus said, "I am the life," a statement which is to be understood two ways. First, Jesus is the one who gives physical life. According to John 1:3-4, Jesus is the Word who existed from the beginning, and by whom everything was created, including mankind. Secondly, Jesus is pictured throughout the scriptures as the one who gives spiritual or eternal life. However, the eternal life which Jesus offers is much more than simply a continued existence. The mere extension of life to many might seem more of a curse than a blessing. It might mean prolonged defeat, frustration, agony and sorrow. Therefore, Jesus did not simply offer an endless existence, but an eternal life which brings a new quality, an increased intensity, a more brilliant radiance, and one of indescribable joy and happiness. He offered to all who would accept it, life in the presence of God.
As before, Jesus did not say he could, "show the way of life," or "lead us to the life." Rather, he said, "I am the life." Certainly, this claim could only be made by one who was divine.
Jesus added one final comment to his great statement, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." He concluded by saying, "No man comes to the Father, but by me," a phrase which meant much more than simply another way of saying that he is the only way to God. Jesus' disciples understood that he had come to bring mankind back to God, but what they seldom understood during his ministry was that he continually claimed to be God himself – one who was both human and divine. Jesus was subtly saying, "no one can come to God the Father except through God the Son," for no mere man could possibly cleanse and purify another so as to be acceptable in the presence of God. This is something that only God himself could do. And in this subtle statement, Jesus was also foreshadowing his one brief moment of triumph on the cross, when he would offer himself for our sins, and open for us the only "true and living way" to the Father in heaven. |
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