The Way, the Truth and the Life
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Key Verse: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Selected Scripture: |
ON JESUS’ LAST NIGHT ON earth, we may well imagine the sense of sorrow and fear that engulfed the hearts of his eleven chosen apostles. First, the Master had shamed them all by washing their feet. Then, after the sop had been given to Judas, he went out from among their little company. After that, Jesus told them all they would be offended because of him, especially informing Peter that he would deny his Lord thrice before the cock crew.
Jesus then proceeded to give his apostles many words of comfort and consolation that are recorded in John’s gospel account. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”—John 14:1-4
Thomas expressed perplexity as to the meaning of these words. Jesus explained in our Key Verse that he was the “way” in the sense that through the sacrifice of his perfect human life the ransom price would be provided. Subsequently, he would provide the imputing of his merit to sinners, that they might be made acceptable to the Father. He was the “truth” because only through his words of instruction could there be any hope of coming into lasting harmony with God. He was the “life” also. The whole human family was condemned to death because of Adam’s disobedience. They would have no possibility of entertaining any hope for a future life without appreciating that Christ, by his sacrifice, would become the life-giver, first for the church, and later for the world during God’s kingdom.
Christ also promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide his apostles after his departure from them. “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”—vss. 16-18
On the day of Pentecost, the apostles received special gifts and were especially commissioned to proclaim the resurrection of Christ. They were instructed to inform the Jewish people that through repentance and baptism they might obtain the Holy Spirit, which the apostles themselves had received earlier that day.—Acts 2:4,22-41
Spirit-begotten believers today are exhorted to develop the fruits of the Spirit. The Apostle Paul lists these as being “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” He adds, “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:22-25) How thankful we should be for the opportunity of being transformed in such a manner. It should be our desire to ultimately prove acceptable to our Heavenly Father and share in the privilege of reigning with Christ in the kingdom.—Rom. 12:1,2; 8:14-17