Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
This verse is so important, and I know that's probably a very obvious statement to make because of its definitive nature. Do you know who is talking? It's the words of Jesus. If you have a copy of the physical Bible, you'll see probably these words are written in red, and these red letter words are essential to the life of the follower of the way of Jesus. This one statement underlines exactly what we need to know is true about the future, about our hope, and about where we find our rest in Christ.
Thomas' Question
In the beginning of the verse, you'll see that it's referring to Jesus speaking to a guy named Thomas. Thomas was asking a question of Jesus. After Jesus explains that he's going to His Father to prepare a room for those who follow Him, Thomas, curious while standing physically in front of Jesus, is trying to figure out exactly what He's talking about. Because this Jesus, who he and the disciples have committed their lives to be with, are with Him, right now here on earth. What Jesus is telling them is that He's going to leave, and it's not going to be the same as it's been before.
As an obvious response, Thomas, like us, is curious to figure out, how is this going to work if we're not together on earth, right here, right now? How are we going to know, number one, where we're supposed to go? Number two, how are we going to get there? You're saying that there is a room that's being prepared for us, but it's not a room that we can see right here with our eyes or touch with our hands.
I Am the Way
Isn't it interesting that Jesus answers this question that Thomas asks by saying, "I am the Way." Sort of a unique way to answer that question when you think about it. He doesn't say this is the way. He doesn't say, I'll show you the way. No, He says, "I am the Way." Going on to say, "I'm the Truth and I'm the Life. No one will come to the Father except through Me."
Thomas was asking for directions. How are we going to get there? Where do we need to go? What Jesus is essentially saying is, you need to be with Me. I actually am the pathway. When you think about a pathway to get to a destination, you think of it on the ground, walking on top of it, and then you arrive. But Jesus is saying, it is only with Me. I know that that's kind of a physiological mystery, but there's this passage in Corinthians that helps me out.
In Christ
In this passage, Paul is talking about the truth of what it means to follow the way of Jesus. Paul says that it is in Christ that we are built up in Him. We build on the foundation of Him. In Colossians it says that we walk in Him. It's almost like we put Jesus on like a jacket. What He's telling us in John chapter 14, verse 6 is, I will be with you. I will carry you. It's only in and through Me that you will arrive at the destination of eternal life and salvation.
Let's find rest in that together today, friends. Jesus is the Way.