Jesus – The Way, The Truth, The Life
John 14:1-14; Romans 5:1-2
In Chapter 11 Jesus says, “I Am the resurrection.” We will look at that “I Am” statement in a couple of weeks. Today we consider Jesus' proclamation of His being the Way, the Truth, and the Life as He prepares His disciples for His crucifixion and resurrection. In chapter 13 Jesus washes the disciples' feet after having instituted the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:19-22). Judas has gone out to betray Jesus to the religious leaders, and Jesus has foretold of Peter's betrayal that night. But Jesus tells His followers, “Let not your hearts be troubled...” and lets them know that His “going” will include His preparing a place for them (us).
He has told them that they cannot go the way He is going (13:33, 36) but that they know the way (14:4), and that Way is Jesus. He is the Way - the only Way - to the Father.
Today lets consider these questions
in regard to what Jesus said in John 14:6:
* What is this way like? Why do we need a special way? Where is the way from and to? Is Jesus not one of many ways? How does Jesus provide the way to God?
* What is truth?
* Don't we already have life? What is this life that is Jesus?
THE WAY Matthew 7:14
Ø Difficult way - (“difficult”=thlibo=affliction, tribulation, press...words that were used to describe preparing grain or fruit for use, i.e. threshing) The way to a proper relationship with God is a way of leaving behind the “husks and hulls”.
Ø Narrow entrance – Why is the entrance so narrow?What restricts entrance to God/life?
> The height of (approach to) God - Who may ascend? Psalm 24:3-4 – Clean hands; Pure heart; No idols; No lying
> The Justice of God – Hebrews 10:30
> The Moral Law of God – 1Peter 1:16
> The Requirement of Perfection – Galatians 3:10
> God's Wrath/Righteous Anger (at sin) Romans1:18; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6
Ø Therefore, the One who provides/is the Way must meet these requirements. Sinless - John 18:23; 2Corinthians 5:21; Bearing the Judgment of God without requiring judgment Himself – Romans 3:25-26; Romans 5:6-11; Met God's MoralRequirement and the Requirement of Perfection – 1Peter 3:18; Bore God's Wrath toward you and me – Isaiah53:5-6, 10; Romans 3:25, 1John 2:2
Ø The Way is to God, but Where is the Way from?
> From the Curse... Deuteronomy 11:26-28 NOTE: “turn aside” = to disobey or to fail to obey
The Curse = the opposite of Numbers 6:24-26
> the curse of Sin – Hebrews 5:1-3 Every priest(even the priest), except Jesus, had to first sacrifice for his own sin.
> Galatians 3:13 Jesus delivered us from the curse that the law revealed.
Ø What will Coming to the Father Look Like? Personal, Present, Powerful Relationship with God the Father John 14:15-21; 17:20-26
Ø What Other Ways Have Been Proposed? Decency, Descent, Denominations, Deeds, Denial/Disagreement.
Jesus did not just teach the way or point the way, He is the
Way.
THE TRUTH
Ø Thy Word is truth – John 17:17; John 1:1,14
THE LIFE
Ø 1John 5:11; John 3:16; John 1:4; John 20:31; John 10:10
Ø Set free from slavery to the world John 8:23-24
Ø Made alive with Jesus Romans 6:6-11
Ø Spirit Powered Resurrection Life Romans 8:11
1 comment:
So Timely! Especially considering the Pews Survey that came out this week. Stating than even a majority of Evangelicals in America believe that there other ways to heaven other than through Christ.
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