Free Clip Art of the Way the Truthand the Life
The Bible records many of the sayings of Jesus, and His statement "I am the way, the truth, and the life" is one that is controversial. As one of His vii "I am" statements, the implications of this pronouncement have special significance for all humanity.
The setting for "I am the mode, the truth, and the life"
The concluding twelvemonth of Jesus' earthly ministry was a fourth dimension of great stress for His disciples.
As His final Passover approached, Jesus learned that His friend Lazarus had died. Lazarus lived in Bethany, which was located near 2 miles from Jerusalem. Intending to raise His friend from the expressionless and to observe the Passover with His disciples in Jerusalem, Jesus told His disciples, "Permit us become to Judea again" (John 11:vii).
The serious danger they would be in past returning to Judea was clearly understood by Jesus' disciples. Thomas "said to his fellow disciples, 'Permit us also become, that we may die with Him'" (verse 16).
On the way, Jesus gave the disciples more explicit information about what lay ahead (Matthew xx:17-19). After observing His final Passover, Jesus again reminded them that His decease was imminent and that He would presently be leaving them (John xiii:31-33).
Peter wanted to know why he couldn't follow Jesus at this time. Echoing Thomas' previous comment, Peter rashly said that he was ready to lay downwardly his life for Christ (poesy 37). But Jesus told Peter that he would soon deny Him three times (poetry 38).
At this signal, the disciples were "completely bewildered and discouraged. Jesus had said He was going away (John 7:34; 8:21; 12:8, 35; 13:33), that He would die (12:32-33), that one of the Twelve was a traitor (13:21), that Peter would disown Him iii times (13:38), that Satan was at work against all of them (Luke 22:31-32), and that all the disciples would fall abroad (Matt. 26:31). The cumulative weight of these revelations must accept profoundly depressed them" (John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, editors, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, comments on John 14:1-fourteen).
"Let not your middle be troubled"
Perceiving how worried His disciples were, Jesus admonished them: "Allow non your centre be troubled . . . if I become and prepare a place for you, I volition come again and receive you to Myself . . . And where I go you lot know, and the way you know" (John 14:ane, 3, four).
Thomas, the disciple with a questioning and somewhat pessimistic personality (John 20:24-25), at present forthrightly expressed his and the other disciples' anxiety and lack of agreement: "Lord, nosotros do not know where You are going, and how can we know the mode?" (John 14:5).
This was the setting and question that prompted Jesus to reply, "I am the mode, the truth, and the life" (verse 6).
Jesus' response provided the assurance His disciples needed, and it encapsulates answers to life'due south almost important questions today. His words speak to the path every human must take to achieve his or her amazing potential and purpose for life.
Jesus was not merely proverb that He had knowledge that could make life meaningful. A more complete manner to empathize Jesus' words is to recognize that He was saying that He alone could provide the guidance every homo needs.
Today people want to be costless to plot their own way, to determine upon their own truth and to ascertain their own purpose for life.
And then Jesus' statement that He is the only reply to these important problems is controversial. Since only 31 percent of globe's population claims to be Christian, some believe Christ'south words are hate speech toward others.
Jesus came to bear witness of "the truth"—an unchanging, absolute explanation of the mode people should alive and the values they should hold.
Merely Jesus truly is God. And every bit the One through whom God created all things, He has the perspective and authority to brand such a argument (John 20:28; Colossians 1:fifteen-16).
We also need to proceed in listen that God loves all people and that His plan includes giving every human the opportunity to know Him and sympathize His ways (two Peter 3:9; Revelation twenty:5). For some, their opportunity will be in this life. For many, it will exist in a life yet to come. To learn more about God'south astonishing and footling-understood programme of salvation for all mankind, come across "The Festivals Jesus Historic."
Allow's focus on the significance of His argument phrase by phrase.
"I am the fashion"
In saying "I am the way," Jesus was repeating His pedagogy about how humans should live. He said this was "the way which leads to life" (Matthew vii:14). He further explained that this was a "difficult" way and that "at that place are few who find it."
Jesus set an example for us by the fashion He lived. He kept all of God's commandments (including the command to keep the seventh-solar day Sabbath), and He observed the biblical holy days. Jesus' disciples lived the same manner and taught others that living the style Jesus did was an important role of truthful Christianity.
Peter wrote that we should follow in Jesus' steps (one Peter two:21). Paul taught people to imitate him as he imitated Christ (ane Corinthians 11:1). And John noted that people who say they are Christians ought "too to walk just as He [Jesus] walked" (1 John 2:6).
This way of life was such an identifying cistron that first-century Christians were spoken of as followers of "the Style" (Acts xix:23; 24:14).
"I am . . . the truth"
Truth has been hotly debated for a long time. Today information technology is popular to believe that each person or culture determines his or its ain truth. Acceptance of multiculturalism—the belief that all values and behavior are as valid—is based on this premise. But Jesus forcefully countered this mistaken idea.
While being judged past Pilate, Jesus said, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come up into the world, that I should evidence of the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My vocalism" (John 18:37).
Pilate's response was predictable. "What is truth?" he exclaimed.
Unlike flesh's vague and often-irresolute values, Jesus said He was a witness of the truth, non a truth that was variable. Explaining Jesus' origin, John wrote that when "the Word became mankind and dwelt among us," He was "full of grace and truth" (John i:fourteen).
Jesus came to conduct witness of "the truth"—an unchanging, absolute caption of the mode people should live and the values they should hold.
"I am . . . the life"
The enjoyment of life and the volition to survive seems to be hardwired into u.s. humans. And nosotros don't like to call back of it coming to an end. Ideally, nosotros would like to enjoy happy, good for you lives forever. Musing on this human desire, Solomon said that God "has put eternity in their hearts" (Ecclesiastes 3:xi).
How to receive eternal life was a question on people's minds in Jesus' day (Matthew 19:16; Luke x:25). And eternal life was an issue Jesus often addressed.
Speaking of Himself in the third person, Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Whoever believes in Him should not perish simply take eternal life" (John 3:fifteen). Jesus explained, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should non perish but have everlasting life" (verse sixteen).
Equally human beings, our temporary life is provided and sustained by God. Simply one of the amazing things about Jesus is that He, every bit God, actually has life within Himself. Every bit John noted, "In Him was life," and it was the Male parent who "granted the Son to have life in Himself" (John 1:4; 5:26).
This eternal life that Jesus possesses is something that He desires to requite to us. As He told Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall alive" (John 11:25).
Information technology is through Jesus that we humans can receive eternal life. There is no other way for people to receive this astounding gift. Every bit Peter told the Jewish regime, there is no salvation through any other person, "for in that location is no other name nether heaven given amidst men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Summary of "I am the fashion, the truth, and the life"
After saying, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," Jesus added: "No 1 comes to the Father except through Me" (John xiv:half dozen). It is thus merely through Jesus that nosotros can have a human relationship with the Father.
Jesus is the One who has taught the states the manner to live our lives. Through Him we learn what absolute truth is. And if we believe in Him, we volition obey Him, and we tin receive eternal life.
John summarizes these concepts as follows: "And we know that the Son of God has come up and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life" (i John 5:20).
Yes, Jesus' words are controversial. Merely they are sage advice that we would all do well to mind.
Virtually the Author
David Treybig
David Treybig is a hubby, begetter and gramps. He and his married woman, Teddi, take two grown children and seven grandchildren. He currently pastors the Austin, Texas, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association. He has served in the pastoral ministry for over 40 years, pastoring congregations across six states.
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Source: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/who-is-jesus/i-am-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life/
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