Jesus is the Way

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the father, but by me. John14:6

He is the way. Jesus spoke these words to Thomas, as in his earnest question, he sought to know where Jesus was going, and how he could get there himself. Jesus’ answer is plain. I am the way Thomas. Me. I’m the answer to your question. I’m afraid many in Christendom do not like this answer. Many religious people stumble on the simplicity of the command in this answer.

He is the way. To go to heaven, to have everlasting life, to be forgiven of all sin, to be born again, is all found in a person, the person of Jesus Christ. We trust him. We put our hope in Him alone. This is hard, and this takes faith. Our sinful nature’s want to save ourselves. We want to secure our own salvation through our own self reform, our own back breaking work. This appeals to man’s pride. This makes sense. Out of this belief, religion is born, sustained, and prospers in the world. Our deceitful flesh says, ” we don’t need Jesus, we don’t need his blood atoning sacrifice, we can do it ourselves. So we set out to become. We set out to justify ourselves through our efforts, our works, our ” basket of vegetables, “rather than a spotless lamb, as Cain did. But this is not the father’s commandment. It’s not what He wants. Why? Why isn’t it good enough? Because we have no life in ourselves, and the very best we can do is dead! Yet many wrestle with this reality, and fail to accept this simple truth, that Jesus is the only way. His righteousness, the only payment.

Peter opposes this truth when the Lord seeks to wash his feet! In his pride he tells our Lord, “Thou shalt never wash my feet”. But the Lord graciously informs him, ” If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me”. This is a real affront to many God seekers out there. They refuse his mercy as they , in their hearts of pride, believe He won’t do it for them, they must do it themselves. What a tragedy this is. For as Jesus relates to Thomas, there’s no other way to the father. It’s Jesus, or nothing. It’s Jesus, or death. Without understanding this simple truth, many chose death.

Religion, what man can do, is the culprit in missing the narrow way. Man’s self effort, good works and self sacrifice is chosen over simple trust, and faith in the only true God, who is so willing to do it all, and be it all in the life of the believer. Religious people fail of the grace of God, because for whatever reason, they couldn’t believe it, and so couldn’t receive it. Religion kills, but grace and truth are of Jesus Christ.