way!

I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

Way!  “No way!” one of my boys used to exclaim, to which his little brother would reply, ” Way!”   The word “way” can mean a journey,  a method of doing something (What’s the best way to execute a golf swing?), or directions to a destination (Here’s the best way to go to the beach).  In biblical terms, the word way (which comes from hodos, translated “road”) often carries a far more powerful meaning.

Way  can express a “a course of conduct or  a manner of life.”  The way of the Lord is sometimes used to denote the revealed will of God, thus the early church was called “The Way” well before they were referred to as “Christians.”

As we continue through our 21-Day Experiment in Prayer, we are focusing on one chapter each day in John’s gospel.  Let’s pause for a minute to remind ourselves of John’s purpose in writing his account of the life of Christ–so that those who read it will believe that he is the Christ, the son of God. We’ll see this more clearly near the end of the book.

But the word way brings up another question.  “Is Jesus the only way to God?”  Some are more comfortable with the thought that Jesus is simply one of many ways to God.  Might sound appealing, and less offensive, until you realize that there are really only two world’s religions (as my husband so often says in his sermons).  You’re saved by following some set of rules and laws, thus trying to work your way to God, impossible for imperfect humans.  Or you are saved by grace, in which you accept Christ’s sacrifice on the cross as full payment for your sins and the only way to God.

I realized this morning that I had accidentally “jumped over” John 14 in my trek through his gospel.  “No way!”  Yes, “way.”  However, I think this may be a little divine caveat, because Jesus’ words in John 14:6 have become a powerful watchword for me today:   I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  

Others may argue that Jesus was a “good man, wonderful teacher, humanitarian, but not the only way.”   Remind yourself that He claimed to be the long awaited Messiah and the only way to God.  Such a claim would make the very one people call such a noble man to be an out and out liar.  As C.S.Lewis so eloquently put is, Jesus is “a liar, a legend, a lunatic, or the truth.”  And I would add He’s the “Way.”   Today, I am pondering this verse, and praying for those in my sphere of influence to accept Him as the Way.