The Way, the Truth and the Life – Sermon 18 May, 2014

The Way, the Truth and the Life
John 14:1-14 1 Peter 2:2-10
Jesus told the disciples many times where He was going, but they never understood Him.
He said earlier in John 7:33 “I am with you for only a short time, and then I am going to the one who sent me”.
He clearly and in simple words said that He was going to the Father who sent Him and with whom He was One. Still they did not understand Him. Even they did not understand the means or the way by which He was going back to the Father. He was going to the Father by His cross.
The disciples were confused, as we are confused about so many things that are happening in our lives today.
But one of them named Thomas was sincere enough to express his confusion. He never tried to pretend that he had understood everything that was going to happen and later happened during the final week of Jesus’ ministry when He was captured, crucified and later rose again. He was honest enough to express his thought and the doubts he had. He wanted to be sure about the events that were happening and were to happen. He openly proclaimed that he failed to understand. And this doubt and desire to fully understand gave the opportunity to Christ to say one of His greatest statements.
No one should be ashamed if he or she has doubts. It is a real blessing that whoever seeks will find.
Hence Jesus said to Thomas: “I am the way, the truth and the life”.
This is a profound statement for us. But it is even more profound for a Jew who heard this statement for the first time.
In this statement Jesus took three major ideas from the Jewish Religion and made a powerful declaration that these three things find their complete meaning in Him.
1. The Way
Jews talked about the way in which people are supposed to walk. This was the way of God which was a heard truth for the Jewish people.
We read in Deuteronomy 5:32-33: “So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess”.
Moses said to the people: “For I know that after my death you are sure to become utterly corrupt and to turn from the way I have commanded you. In days to come, disaster will fall on you because you will do evil in the sight of the Lord and arouse his anger by what your hands have made”.
In Isaiah we read: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it”.”
And for the new land it is said: “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way.The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.”
The one who walks in the way will not be lost.
David prays saying teach me your ways: “Teach me your way Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.”
Therefore the Jews knew much about the Way of the Lord, in which man was supposed to walk faithfully.
And here Jesus says: “I am the way”.
What did He mean?
Imagine that you are in foreign city and asked someone for direction and he says: “Take the first right, then take left, keep straight after the roundabout, pass by the church, take the second left and the street you are looking for will be the fourth on the left”. I am sure after few turns you will be lost. But imagine if the person says: “Come, I will take to the place you want to go”. In this case he becomes the way and we can reach our destination.
That’s what Jesus means and does for us. He holds our hands and leads us on the way. He strengthens us and personally leads us every day. He does not talk to us about the way. He is the Way.
2. The Truth
He said: “I am the truth”.
David says in the Psalms:
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness;give me an undivided heart,that I may fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11)
“I have chosen the way of truth (faithfulness); I have set my heart on your laws”. (Psalm 119:30)
Many have told us the truth, but no one has been able to live it. Even the best teacher sometimes has failed to live out what they had taught. One could teach morality, but at the same time fail to live it and be a living example to their students.
Everyone can teach ethics. But to live it is totally different. It is easy to teach about principles but to live according to them is difficult. No one has ever done this beside Christ. Many could say that they have taught, but only Jesus can say: “I am the truth”.
It is not only that the teaching of moral perfection reaches its climax, but the application of the moral perfection finds it realisation in Him.
3. The life
Jesus said: “I am the Life”.
Solomon says: “For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life”. (Proverbs 6:23)
Again Solomon says: “Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” (Proverbs 10:17)
And David says: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)
We all seek life. It is a wish to have a good life full of blessings and well-being.
A novel writer puts the following words of love in the mouth of the hero of his novel:
“I never knew what life was until I saw it in your eyes”. What an affectionate expression.
It is clear that love has brought life. That’s what Jesus does. Life is in Him; the real life.
There is only one way to put all this together. “No one can go to the Father without me”.
He is the Way to God. Only in Him we can see who God is.
Only He can lead us into God’s presence without fear or shame.
He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Krikor Youmshajekian