"I Am The Way And The Truth And The Life"
- The Gospel Of Matthew Vs. The Gospel Of John - know the way if they do not know where Jesus is going. Jesus responds to this by stating...
Submitted by mainevent2820 on 06/30/2008 05:21 PM
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"I Am The Way And The Truth And The Life"
"I am the Way and the Truth and the Life," is an "I Am" statement that should be addressed to those who have committed themselves to Jesus. On the night of the Lord's crucifixion, Jesus gives His farewell speech. He has just finished the Lord's Supper, (though John does not record this), and announced His imminent departure (John 13:33, 36;14:2-3). Along with the announcement of His departure, He adds, "You know the way to the place where I am going" (John 14:4). To this, the disciple Thomas responds, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" He wants the position to be clear, and will not let our Lord's word stand as though he understands them when he really does not. The man's fundamental honesty stands revealed. This provides Jesus with the opportunity of expanding what he had just said. He replies, "I AM the way and the truth and the life". Then He adds, "No-one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Despite the controversy that surrounds these words, and the many forms of translations and interpretations given, it is clear, by the structure of these words, that Jesus is saying three distinct things about Himself. However, the three terms, "the way", "the truth" and "the life" are co-ordinate. The indication is that Jesus is declaring three distinct things about Himself.
First He says, "I AM the way". Again, we see here something that can not be denied, or overlooked. Since Jesus refers to going to His Fathers house (v.2), and that "No-one comes to the Father except through me (v.6), we can see that He is speaking of the way of salvation, the way of salvation leading to the Father. He is stating that He is not one of many ways to God, but "the" way. With one statement, He gets rid of man's false notions of approaching God, and asserts His `uniqueness`. His death is closely linked with Him being "the way". For it is through His death that God and sinners are reconciled. Second, He claims to be "the truth"....
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