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The WAY - John 14
The WAY - John 14
One of the most exclusive claims that Jesus made is recorded in John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." The use of the definite articles points to the exclusiveness of this claim. He is not 'a way' or 'a life'. His use of 'no one' separates the whole world into one of two groups. Such a claim is either true or false, there is no room left for 'middle ground'. Either you come to God through Jesus or you do not come to God.
I am not surprised that Christians are often accused of being 'narrow-minded, I am surprised it doesn't happen more often. There are many religions and many religious teachers. The world has been full of different claims of 'truth'. As disciples of Jesus, we hold him to be unique. Peter proclaimed: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). Paul wrote: "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1Tim. 2:5).
· Though many have died, only Jesus died as an acceptable sacrifice for our sins.
· Though some have been raised from the dead, only Jesus was raised to sit on the right hand of the Father.
· Though many are now sons of God, only Jesus is the 'uniquely begotten' Son of God.
· Though there are many who claim to be priests, only Jesus serves as the eternal High priest in Heaven.
There are many lords and kings, but Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of lords. He is above all authority and power. He has all authority in heaven and upon earth.
The real debate is not whether Jesus claimed such uniqueness, but rather if His claim is true. This truthfulness hinges upon not only His resurrection but the recording of the event in the writings of the New Testament. This then involves the accuracy and truthfulness of those writings. It also involves the preservation of such texts and, for us who don't read the original languages, the faithfulness of the translation of such texts. Even with all of that, there is the necessity of our learning and understanding these claims.
Often times people's problem with the exclusive moral demands of Jesus resides in more fundamental concepts: the nature and existence of God, the revelation and preservation of God's will, and truthfulness of who Jesus really is. Sometimes we need to be quiet and listen to what people are having actually having difficulties believing.
In the end, it still stands that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to God except through Him.
Hugh DeLong
