The Absolute Truth – Part 1

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” – John 8:32

Jesus’ statement in John 8 is pretty shocking. It was shocking in biblical times and it is shocking to people in our inclusive, politically correct culture of today. It raises questions like, “Is this true” and “why do Christians feel like they have the only way to God?”

The first claim that Jesus made in this verse is that He is the way. He is the way to what? He is addressing our very human instinct to know where we are going before we start a journey.  The disciples wanted to know the next step, the next turn, the ultimate destination of where this journey in faith would lead them.  When we have a long trip ahead of us, we want to turn on our GPS and get an idea of how long it will take and the roads we will travel on to get there.  We determine the best, fastest routes and then start our journey.

However, Jesus makes it clear that they (disciples), or we won’t know the defined way we are supposed to travel in life.  We are instead tasked with simply knowing and trusting in Jesus daily, and walking in faith that He is the way.  When we abide in Him, we will not know a defined course, but we can rest in the comfort of faith – that He will lead us exactly where we need to go as we walk in Him.

Take a look at the context of Scripture in examining Jesus’ claims. Right before He made this claim, Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)

It’s pretty clear that Jesus is talking about Heaven. When Jesus says, “I am the way,” He means that He is the way to Heaven.  Jesus tells us it is about trusting Him enough to follow Him to Heaven.

We need to remember who said those words. Jesus is the one who made this exclusive claim. And I don’t know about you, but anyone who predicts His own death and comes back to life is worth believing.  Yet, as exclusive as this one and only one way to the Father statement was, Jesus is the most inclusive man who ever lived. He came to give His life for all so that all might know the Father. Yes, there is only one way, but everyone is invited to know the way. It’s a matter of choice.

Discussion Question:

1. Jesus didn’t say that He would show them the way; Jesus said that He is the way. What does that mean for us today?