“The Way, the Truth, and the Life"
John 14:1-18

“‘And where I go you know, and the way you know.’  Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’  Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” [John 14:4-6]
 
This is the sixth of seven “I am” declarations in the Gospel of John.
1.    I am the bread of life [John 6:35]
2.    I am the light of the world [John 8:12]
3.    I am the gate for the sheep [John 10:7]
4.    I am the Good Shepherd [John 10:11, 14]
5.    I am the resurrection and the life [John 11:25]
6.    I am the way, the truth, and the life [John 14:6]
7.    I am the true vine [John 15:1]

These last two I am statements are given in the Upper Room discourse. And as noted previously, the Upper Room discourse is our Lord’s final words to His disciples before returning to the Father. These are, “The thinking and emotions of Jesus just before his own crucifixion.” [Stedman]  

They are indeed important direction, not only to the disciples in that room, but to all disciples. How does one continue the work of Jesus while He is gone? That was Thomas’ question, and no doubt the others.

The sixth and seventh “I am” declarations are instrumental in establishing a life of faith while Jesus is away. Jesus also gave several parables on this! [i.e., Matt 20:1-16; 25:1-30; Lk 19:11-27; and more…]

Firstly, it must be known that Jesus is the only way. “I am the way,” is emphatic, no ambiguity. Jesus is the only way to heaven.

Secondly, Jesus is the truth. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” [Jn 8:32] There is liberty in truth and bondage in lies. The alcoholic thinks he has freedom to drink, but in fact he is bound to his drinking. 

Thirdly, Jesus is the life. This is the life of faith on this earth. The life that 
Jesus has for us begins in the here and now through the Spirit. This is described in vv.15-18 of our text; “He dwells with you and will be in you.” [Jn 14:17]

This is the prelude to the last I am declaration in Chapter 15, “I am the true vine.”  We need to abide in Christ [the True Vine] for the Holy Spirit to fill us and direct us. We will get to that last I am declaration in two Sundays.