The Defining Way
The Defining Way
“You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” -John 14:4-6
As I think about Jesus being the defining way, there are two aspects to it that bear consideration. First, Jesus is the way. As in the road. This is the way, walk in it. We walk in the way Jesus has made. His death, resurrection, ascension make for us a way into the Father’s house. He has won our pardon. He has given us His life which death cannot overcome. He is our advocate with the Father, always interceding for us. Secondly, Jesus is our example. He is the way in which we walk. We are to do as He did, to love as He loved. So, He is the mode and the means of getting us to the Father. And there is no other way. All the other modes and means fall short. Jesus is the Way.
Blog Bonus: Occasionally, in my study leading up the message, there is a quote that is meaningful but doesn’t fit into the message itself. Last week as we marked the one year anniversary of shuttering HLAC’s campus for COVID-19, this quote from A.W. Pink (on John 14: 1) really came home to me. Hope it speaks to you too:
“But it should be remembered that the Lord was speaking not only to the Eleven, but to us as well. Even so, the above interpretation supplies an exhortation which we constantly need. “Believe in God,” O Christian. Let not your heart be trouble, for thy Father is possessed of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness. He knows what is best for thee, and He makes all things work together for thy good. He is on the Throne, ruling amid the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, so that none can stay His hand. Why, then, art thou cast down, O my soul? God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swellings thereof. What though trials come thick and fast, and what though I am misunderstood and unappreciated, what though Satan roar and rage against me? “If God be for us who can be against us?” Believe in God. Believe in His absolute sovereignty, His infinite wisdom, His unchanging faithfulness, His wonderous love. “Believe also in me.” I am the One who died for thy sins and rose again for thy justification; I am the One who ever liveth to make intercession for thee. I am the same, yesterday, and to-day and forever. I am the One who shall come again to receive you unto Myself, and ye shall be forever with Me. Yes, “believe also in me!””