I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Open Your Bible
John 13:31-38, John 14:1-11, Psalm 25:1-22, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:12-22
BY Kaitlin Wernet
“What are you looking for?” seems like a harmless question when you’re, say, on all fours looking for the back of an earring in a crowded elevator. Or maybe when your bike has been stolen and you’re filling out a police report detailing its exact size, color, and last known location.
But when it comes to something you’ve never had before, like a dream job or a new friend, it can be hard to articulate exactly what you’re hoping to find. What I know for sure is that every time I sit across from an attractive, intelligent man on a first date, I dread them asking, “So… what are you looking for?” What I’ve figured out is that the question beneath the question is actually, “Is it me?” And no… it’s not terrifying or too soon to be asking that question on a first date—nope, not all.
What I find interesting, though, is that this question, this posture of seeking, is ingrained in us. Ever since the fall, humanity has found itself lacking, and thus, we have found ourselves searching for who knows what: Chocolate. Caffeine. Ibuprofen. Adventure. Love. Fulfillment. Belonging. Healing. Our need is not a surprise to us.
I don’t think that any of God’s children would have been able to specifically ask for who we need as a Savior. Sure, we would’ve been able to come up with characteristics, such as someone who is “forgiving” or “loving” or even someone who is “just” in the way they interact with the world and others. But our minds are unable to understand just how great our need is, let alone the compassion and longing God has for us. He had more in store for us than just fulfilling our needs—He wanted to do so in a way that would teach us about His character, draw us to His love, and keep us in His embrace forever.
As His disciples encountered Jesus while feeling their own human needs, they probably had a lot of questions come to mind:
Which way is right?
What can I believe to be absolutely true?
How can I find real life in a fallen world?
Jesus answers our fears with this calming reassurance in the beginning of John 14: “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (v.1). He is capable of showing us the way, revealing to us the truth, and giving us life abundantly—and that would have been enough, more than we deserve. But He still wants more for us. He wants us to know Him in relationship.
I love what Charles Spurgeon has to say about the way Jesus talks to His disciples here: “Thus we notice how they speak to him with a natural, easy familiarity; and he talks to them in full sympathy with their weakness, teaching them little by little as they are able to learn. They ask just such questions as a boy might ask of his father. Often they show their ignorance, but never do they seem timid in his presence, or ashamed to let him see how shallow and hard of understanding they are.”
Jesus knows what we are searching for, even when we don’t have a clue. When we ask, “Where is the path? What is true? How can I find life?”, He will always answer, “It is me.” He alone is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
24 thoughts on "I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life"
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Melissa, have grace with yourself. Your words are beautiful. We all say things that have a deeper meaning and I am glad you expanded on all that God has done for you, for us. We are so blessed to know the Truth, the Way and the Life. He is the grace and the love we and so many need. Praise Jesus He is all we need.
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“What are you looking for?” Yes, this has been the motto of my life the past few years. In the most recent months, I see my husband and I constantly looking for what’s next; where do we go from here; and now what. We desire more for ourselves, but we’re unsure how to get it. We have goals and dreams, but achievement feels out of focus and distant. And yet, not once did it occur to me how applicable this uncertainty and unease of life in your late 20s is to the real Way, the real Truth, and the real Life.
I needed these scripture readings this morning. I had no idea that I needed them, but once again, God proves that He knows me better than I know myself. He will provide…
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Lord, please forgive me.. in my first entry today, I said that You did the heavy lifting in our relationship with You. Forgive me for using such a glib reference to the heavy burdens You carried on my behalf…my sin and the sin of the whole world, the cruelty and shame of the cross, not to mention the excruciating pain of Your death and ultimately bearing the pain of separation from the Father as He turned His face away because You literally became sin on our behalf. As Philippians says, “He emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men….and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:7-11) I can never say thank You enough. Ladies, I pray you forgive my poor choice of words in my first entry today. I pray you all have a day filled with reminders of the fact that we do indeed have a personal relationship with the KIng of Kings and Lord of lords who is indeed THE way, THE truth and THE life.
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I was struck, also, by the ease with which the disciples asked Jesus their questions. I guess because I am in the classroom, I recognize that asking questions takes trust. It requires confidence and comfort in the one (in this case The One) to whom the questions are asked. In my classroom, sometimes I do get a dumb question…a question that happens because someone’s ears have not been listening and so the answer was literally spoken right before the question. Or sometimes I get a question that isn’t really the question that was asked but is more a, “please notice and love me,” question. And then there are the questions that come from thought, processing of a mind that isn’t quite putting all the pieces together and wants to clarify…wants to learn and grow. Each of these requires a different type of loving response.
Jesus disciples trusted him. They made their claims, “Lord,” Peter asked, “why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?” “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father and that’s enough for us.” Each question coming from a different heart, a different need, and Jesus responded to each.
Thank you Lord for hearing my questions and giving me the loving response that you know is best to help me grow closer to you.
Help me Lord to hear the questions spoken in words, and even unspoken by eyes and behaviors, and answer them with the loving response that you know is best to help you be seen and others to long to know you more.-
Thank you, Angie! This makes so much sense to me and helps me have a new perspective on Jesus!
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“Deep down people are searching but on the surface people seem pretty ambivalent about a need for a Savior. They’re doing the best they can to get ahead, be a good citizen. I need saving? That’s a foreign concept. They just rely on themselves.” That’s what one college student said to another about their peers. I once was there. But wait, my young friends, because a restlessness, an unease will come over you. No matter the salary, the education, the awards – there will come a dissatisfaction. You will ask “Is this all there is? Is there a better way? What am I missing?” God is drawing you to Himself though you may not know it. He woos His wayward and wandering children. Jesus is the answer though at first you may try other options to fill that void. We were made to be in relationship with our Creator. You can’t put your finger on it but you know you’re not on the right path – Jesus is the way. You can’t put your finger on it but you need rock solid answers, not more opinions- Jesus is the Truth. You can’t put your finger on it but there has to be something beyond the here and now, something better, something more – Jesus is the life, the life you’re searching for. There are many willing to tell you about Him. There are many who know Him well. There is a book He wrote. Replace restlessness with peace. He is Who you’re looking for.
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Amen! Thank you for this!
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My heart desperately seeks direction.
Jesus, you are the way.
My heart wrestles with what is right and wrong in this broken world.
Jesus, you are the Truth.
My heart longs to make my days meaningful and purposeful.
Jesus, you are the Life.
Thank You, Lord, for opening my heart up more and more to know you! You are all I need! Amen-
Poetry as prayer. This is beautiful.
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Yes, they had images of what the Savior would be like. Jesus wasn’t what some of the religious leaders thought He would be like. She said above that we don’t know how great our need is, and He has more in store for us.Yes, He meets our need, but He wanted to reveal His character, draw us to His love, and keep us in His embrace forever! He is capable of showing the Way, giving us abundant life, and revealing truth. But He wants relationship with me/us. Wow! I know that first part is so true. We don’t all know how much we need a Savior. I want to feel the depths of my sins and not think I’m not that bad. by doing the comparing game. I was brought up thinking that if I’m not that bad and try to do good things, I’ll go to Heaven. I also felt condemned if I did something wrong and needed to make atonement for it. However, the Word says we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Our righteous deeds are like filthy rags. He is Holy! Then to think that He wants me in spite of my words, actions, and thoughts. May that bring me to my knees, humble me, and find me awe struck by the very thought of that kind of love. She said we are all searching. I’ve heard it said that’s why those superhero movies are so popular. Only He can fulfill and satisfy, but we look to all kinds of things and people. This podcast talks about The Real Superhero, Jesus https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unashamed-with-phil-robertson/id1460147025?i=1000452551214
Listen if you want to hear about this and Jesus being glorified and praised. -
Jesus. It is all about Him. Such a profound, yet simple truth. Thank You, Lord, for the simplicity of the gospel. You did all the heavy lifting…all we need to do is believe and entrust ourselves to Your loving care. All our questions are answered, all our fears are calmed and our purpose is revealed in You, because You are “the way, the truth and the life”. Amen and amen.
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