John 14:5-6

Comforting His disciples in the face of His impending arrest and execution, Jesus speaks of the place (the Father’s house) He is going to prepare, not only for the disciples, but for all who believe in Him in the generations to come. Jesus tells these disciples that they know the way to the place He is going but the disciples aren’t quite so sure.

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” John 14:5 NIV

Keeping in mind that these disciples did not yet have the influence of the Holy Spirit to help them understand what Jesus is teaching, we should not fault them too much for asking for clarification.

The response of Jesus is one of the most important verses in the gospel of John and is absolutely key for a clear and correct understanding of Christian theology.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 NIV

There are two essential truths found in His response.

First, He tells His disciples that they won’t reach the Father’s house on a path but rather through Him. Jesus reveals that He is not only the way to salvation but actually the only way to salvation. Additionally, as they find salvation in Him, they will discover truth and life as well.

Secondly, Jesus reveals that He is the only way to salvation. No one can be reconciled to God except through the acceptance of the sacrifice of Christ and through faith in Him. Jesus is the only way, there is no other way.

This statement would have been offensive in Biblical times as Roman polytheistic worship ruled the known world. There were dozens of Gods who served a multitude of purposes. A person need only to worship and make an offering the one that applied to the current situation. (For instance, the Roman God Somnus was the God of napping or sleeping). Additionally, the Roman emperor was also considered a God on earth. In saying that He is the only way of Salvation, Jesus is treading on dangerous ground. This type of teaching could get Him trouble with the Romans and the Jews.

This statement is offensive in our day as well. While our culture no longer worships mythological Roman Gods who live on Mount Olympus, polytheism is still the predominant way of thinking today. Many take an “anything goes” approach to spirituality, dabbling in this and that from many different arenas of religious thought. The idea that there could be only one way to heaven seems ludicrous to some in light of the kaleidoscope of different religions and spiritual movements around the world.

This really comes to down to our viewpoint concerning the authority of the Bible. Do we believe the Bible is God’s word given to us for instruction and guidance in our walk with Jesus? Do we believe that the Bible is the most important book ever written which alone serves as the foundation on which we build our lives? If this is true of us, then we must believe that John 14:6 is true, and that salvation is found in Jesus and Jesus alone. It helps to keep in mind that the early Christians faced a very similar dilemma.

Questions to consider:
What is your personal belief about the authority of the Bible? Do you believe that it is true and that it was written to guide your life?

How have you built your life, your marriage, your family on the foundation of the Bible? What changes do you need to make today to start living your life according to God’s word?

Ask God today to help you build your life on the foundation of God’s word today.