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John 14:6 - Jesus (God incarnate) Says No One Comes To The Father Except Through Him.John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.John 14:6 (ESV) Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. WORD STUDY As The Way, Jesus is our path to the Father. As The Truth, he is the reality of all God's promises. As The Life, he joins his divine life to ours, both now and eternally. [Life Application SB] CONTEXT Twenty-three times in all we find our Lord's meaningful "I AM" in the Greek text of this Gospel 4:26; 6:20, 35, 41, 48, 51; 8:12, 18, 24, 28, 58; 10:7, 9, 11, 14; 11:25; 13:19; 14:6; 15:1, 5; 18:5, 6, 8). In several of these, He joins His "I AM" with seven tremendous metaphors which are expressive of His saving relationship toward the world. "I AM the Bread of life" (6:35, 41, 48, 51). "I AM the Light of the world" (8:12). "I AM the Door of the sheep" (10:7, 9). "I AM the Good Shepherd" (10:11, 14). "I AM the Resurrection and the Life" (11:25). "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (14:6). "I AM the true Vine" (15:1, 5). [MacArthur Daily Bible 2003] INTRODUCTION Jesus proclaimed himself as the only way to God. This is one of the most basic and important passages in Scripture. How can we know the way to God? Only through Jesus. Jesus is the way because he is both God and man. By uniting our life with his, we are united with God. Trust Jesus to take you to the Father, and all the benefits of being God's child will be yours. Jesus says he is the only way to God the Father. Some people may argue that this way is too narrow. In reality, it is wide enough for the whole world, if the world chooses to accept it. Instead of worrying about how limited it sounds to have only one way, we should be saying, "Thank you, God, for providing a sure way to get to you!" [Life Application SB] COMMENTARY PEARLS Oh, let us contemplate the amazing sacrifice that has been made for us! Let us try to appreciate the labor and energy that Heaven is expending to reclaim the lost, and bring them back to the Father's house. Motives stronger, and agencies more powerful, could never be brought into operation; the exceeding rewards for right-doing, the enjoyment of heaven, the society of the angels, the communion and love of God and His Son, the elevation and extension of all our powers throughout eternal ages--are these not mighty incentives and encouragements to urge us to give the heart's loving service to our Creator and Redeemer? [SC 21] Three Things In The Cross In the cross of Christ I see three things: First, a description of the depth of man's sin. Do not blame the people of that day for hanging Christ on the cross. You and I are just as guilty. It was not the people or the Roman soldiers who put Him to the cross--it was your sins and my sins that made it necessary for Him to volunteer this death. Second, in the cross I see the overwhelming love of God. If ever you should doubt the love of God, take a long, deep look at the cross, for in the cross you find the expression of God's love. Third, in the cross is the only way of salvation. If there had been any other way to save you, He would have found it. If reformation or living a good moral and ethical life would have saved you, Jesus never would have died. A substitute had to take your place. Remember these three things, and you'll begin to understand the power of the cross. Do you daily thank Jesus for His sacrifice? [Peace for Each Day by Billy Graham] COMMENTARY The True Way More than four thousand religions are practiced in the world today. However, three-quarters of the earth's population follow just five major beliefs: Judaism, Islam, Christianity Hinduism, and Buddhism. Out of this plethora of beliefs, a person can certainly find a religion to suit him or her. But does religion work as a choose-you-own-adventure? What does the Bible, the only religious book with precisely fulfilled prophecies, say about true religion? We read today that Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life' Here God's Word states that Jesus has set the only true path before humanity. He gave us the perfect example of how all people should live. What was that life like? Christ served God in complete submission - even surrendering His own will to live to His Father's will (Isaiah 53:10; John 6:38; Philippians 2:8). We must be likewise surrendered to Christ, handing over to Him all our earthly desires. Every hope, every fear, and every sin that we cling to must be brought before Him if we are to live as He did. Is that your desire? If so, hand your life and all its struggles over to Jesus; choose today to let Him sort out the baggage. In return for your faith, He will lead you into the way, the truth, and the life. Some say that all religions are equally valid, but the Bible says that Jesus is the only way. While that might seem extreme, it comes with the promise that if we receive Him as the truth, we will find eternal life. Have you truly received Jesus into your heart? Dear Lord, please take the baggage that I've been holding onto and give me a new life in You. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts] One Way If you had to define Christianity using only one Bible verse, John 14:6 would be a pretty good choice. In two sentences, Jesus gives us the core belief of Christianity, the distinctive feature that sets it apart from all other religions and belief systems. Our culture encourages us to be spiritually open-minded. To accept all religious teachings as equally valid. To embrace the idea that all paths lead to God. And that it doesn't matter what you believe as long as your faith is sincere. But Jesus' words in John 14:6 don't give us those options. He is the way. There is no other path to God or Heaven except through Him. He is the truth. Any philosophy or scripture that doesn't agree with His words and teachings cannot be true. He is the life. There is no way to live forever except through Him. If that seems narrow-minded, consider this: God sacrificed what was most precious to Him - His Son - because it was the only way to pay the price for our sins. Jesus left His exalted place in Heaven to dwell among us and do what we couldn't do: live a sinless life. God the Son allowed Himself to be mocked, beaten, and crucified. Even though He was innocent, He took God's punishment for the sins of the world. He died in our place. He conquered death through His resurrection. He carried out God's plan of salvation so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. If there's another path to God or Heaven (or if there's another belief system that gives eternal life), that means God's plan, the sacrifice of His Son, and Jesus' suffering and death were unnecessary. If you believe Jesus didn't have to die for you to be saved, you haven't put your trust in Him. Jesus reminds His followers that if we love Him, we will show it by obeying His commands. Relationship experts tell us there are many ways to express love to someone. But when that someone is Jesus, there's just one: Do what He says. That includes turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, loving your neighbor, loving your enemy, caring for the needy, and prioritizing what's important to Him. Keep making changes to your life so that it aligns with His. The news of Jesus' impending departure surely had a chilling effect on His disciples. No doubt they experienced some anxiety as they tried to imagine life without Him. But he wanted them to know He wasn't leaving them empty-handed. The Holy Spirit was coming, and He would change their lives in ways they couldn't imagine. The Holy Spirit lives inside all believers. He guides us in our daily decision-making. He helps us discern God's truth. He convicts us to confess and repent when we do wrong. He reminds us of Jesus' words. He helps us understand Scripture. He helps shape our prayers. He nurtures spiritual fruit in our lives. He shows us how to be Jesus' disciples. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] Never Too Old Do you know the way, the truth, and the life? No one ever grows too old to accept Christ's forgiveness and enter into His glorious presence. When we look back over our experiences along life's journey, we may have regrets about the choices we made, but remember, that was then ... this is now. Some reading this may say, "But I rejected Christ my whole life. It's too late for me." I say to you, my friend, that was then ... this is now. The Bible's promises were true then, they are true now, and they will be true forever. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). For those who have received the most precious gift of Christ's redeeming blood ... you have reason to look forward to the glories of Heaven, for you will be perfected, you will be joyful, you will be active, and you can be certain that you are nearing home. Do you believe in your heart that your past is behind you? [Peace for Each Day by Billy Graham] POWERFUL SONG ON THIS PASSAGE Jesus, the Waymaker [Live] by Gaither Music TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzkmtpMZimQ LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Acts 4:12 - JESUS; The Only Way! https://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201217-0956.html 2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Life in Christ. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250115-1510.html Proverbs 10:29 - There Is Strength And A Stronghold In Walking With God. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050202-1101.html John 14:6 - NOW IS THE TIME! https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230228-0657.html John 14:6 - The 6th I AM Statement of Jesus The Way-maker! http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210718-1038.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |