[Pearls Ep 170: Preparing for Sunday.]
In this week’s Pearls of the Interior Life (the video will come out tomorrow), we consider Jesus’ amazing statement that, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Those truly are amazing words.
Here’s a little thought experiment…
First, the entire scripture passage is copied in the Postscript. You’ll see that the setup for Jesus’ amazing self-revelation is His first statement that, “Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas blurts out what most of us would want to blurt out – “Huhhhhh????” Well, actually he says, “Master, we do not know where You are going: how can we know the way?”
Now – pause there. How would you respond to Thomas?
Steve would say something like, “Tommy, don’t ask questions, just do what I tell you.”
Karen would take a more apologetic and nurturing tone, “I’m so sorry I wasn’t clear enough, let’s start from the beginning and we’ll see if I can make it clearer.”
How about you?
One thing is certain – no one in a million years, no matter how much they studied the bible, or the writings of other messianic figures would come up with, “I am the way the truth and the life.”
And why those three? Elsewhere Jesus tells us He is many other things: I am the resurrection, the vine, the narrow gate, the light of the world, etc.
Why then, during the Last Supper, while He was explaining the path to eternal life, did Jesus choose those three characteristics? He must have thought they were crucial for the Apostles. And for us.
That’s what we look at in this week’s video and follow-up messages.
Easter blessings –
Steve and Karen Smith
Interior Life
Postscript: Jn 14:1-12
Jesus said to His disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in Me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to Myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where You are going; how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know Me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing His works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”