Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Truth for the Heart

January 16, 2005

JESUS ENCOURAGES HIS DISCIPLES – Part II

John 14:6

We come now to one of the most familiar verses in the New Testament.

John 14:6 is the key verse displayed in the Billy Graham Crusades. JESUS ANSWERED, “I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.” This verse reveals that Jesus is our only true relationship with the Father. In verses four and five He affirms that His disciples know the way to God. The disciples were not ignorant of the fact that He was to return. Although Thomas said to Him in verse five “Lord we do not know where you are going, and how can we know the way?” Now in verse six Jesus answers the question asked by Thomas

I AM THE WAY- This is a very direct statement. He is saying “I am the way to God.” There are not many ways to God. This is a very exclusive statement. The Greek text says essentially, “I, myself and no other.” The cults claim that they have the way. However they have no answer for their sin solution. Jesus is the only one in history who has dealt completely with man’s sin problem. John wrote in John 1:29, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Also in John 10:10 Jesus said “I have come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” Note He did not say “I Am A way” He said “I AM THE WAY” In the early years of the church Christians are said to be following “the way” (Acts 9:2).

Jesus is the way because He is the Truth of God and the Life of God.

The exclusiveness is further seen in the statement, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” As someone has said: “to make a statement like that, He is either a lunatic or He is telling the truth.” We know HE IS SPEAKING THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH. There are at least ten “I AM” statements in the gospel of John, John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7,9,11; 14; 11:25. 15:1,5; 14:6. Each of the statements is an expression of a special ministry of God to men through the LORD JESUS CHRIST!

If you are reading this pen pulpit and you are still trusting in your own good works to get you to heaven, let me say you need to consider carefully what the Scriptures say. In Acts 4:12 we read “SALVATION IS FOUND IN NO ONE ELSE, FOR THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN TO MEN BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED.”

Or I John 5:11,12 “AND THIS IS THE TESTIMONY: GOD HAS GIVEN US ETERNAL LIFE, AND THIS LIFE IS IN HIS SON. HE WHO HAS THE SON HAS LIFE; HE WHO DOES NOT HAVE THE SON OF GOD DOES NOT HAVE LIFE.”

So ask yourself this question, “have I received the Son of God into my life as Lord and Savior?” If you have, God’s testimony is that right now you possess eternal life! However, if you haven’t trusted Him, according to the Word of God you are not a child of God. John 3:36 reads, “HE WHO BELIEVES IN THE SON HAS EVERLASTING LIFE; AND HE WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE THE SON SHALL NOT SEE LIFE, BUT THE WRATH OF GOD ABIDES ON HIM.” Why not pause for a moment and consider these truths and by faith ask the Lord Jesus Christ to be your savior. Then thank Him for redeeming you from the slave market of sin. Our God is SO good! Amen?

So until next time, God bless and have a wonderful week.