In today’s world, it is very difficult to separate fact from fiction. There are many who would attempt to deceive you and me with pseudo-truths, i.e. outright lies! Yet, they are couched in such a way as to “honey coat” their twisted lie to look like a truth.
In order to know the truth, one needs to examine what God says. God’s Holy Word says a lot about truth. The Hebrew word for truth is often ‘emeth which is defined as: interrelated consistency of statements, and their correspondence with the facts of reality, and the facts themselves. (Source: Zondervan All-in-One Bible Reference Guide, p. 624) The Greek word for truth in the New Testament aletheia is very similar to the Hebrew word above in its meaning.
My first thought on this subject relates to Pontius Pilate when Jesus was brought before him prior to His crucifixion. Pilate clearly did not have any idea as to why the Jewish leaders had brought Him to his court. True, they wanted Him to die (John 18:31). But their tribunal had no right to execute anyone. In subsequent conversation between Pilate and Jesus, Pilate asked, “what is truth?” This question was prompted following Jesus’ statement “everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (18:37). Yes, Jesus came into the world to “testify to the truth.”
The previous conversation between Pilate and Jesus occurred just a brief time after Jesus was with his disciples offering them comfort about what was inevitable, this is, His death on the cross for your sins and mine. John 14 begins by Jesus saying, “do not let your hearts be troubled.” Why? Because our LORD was promising His eternal presence. He promised that He was going to prepare a place for them. In part, His preparation began with His hanging on Calvary’s tree. He reminds them that He will also come back again to claim them to be with Him in eternity. But then Thomas asks, “we don’t know the way?” Jesus’ answer is one of the seven I AMs in John’s gospel. “I AM the way, the truth, and the life. . .” (14:6, emphasis added) Jesus was pointing Thomas to a roadmap. Like starting a journey without a map to tell us where and how to find our destination. Jesus said, He is the ONLY way – the roadmap to Life!
In John’s opening chapter of his gospel, he reminds us that Jesus is true God with the Father. And this true God was also made flesh (verse 14) and took on a human nature to satisfy our separation from the Father due to our sin. So Jesus is the Way to the Father! The disciples failed to see the unity of the Father and the Son – Philip’s statement of “show us the Father.” Jesus connects the dots explaining to Philip and others that He and the Father are One with a unified purpose of providing life to its believers.
Jesus told His disciples that He was going to prepare a place, but His leaving would not leave a void, rather, He would send His Holy Spirit to be with them – forever – called the Spirit of Truth. (verse 15) Jesus is indeed the Way, and His Spirit is the Truth, this is, the fact of reality.
The Shepherd (Jesus) will lead the way for His flock. For the sheep hear His voice and they follow (John 10). The Shepherd leads His flock to paths of righteousness, this is, eternal life. Jesus also said, “I AM the gate.” (emphasis added) the leads to this eternal life.
The story does not end here rather Jesus rises to life showing all that He has overcome sin, death, and the Evil One. His life after death was promised long ago. Yet, many have and continue to fail to see the relevance of His work of redemption. Before He left for the right hand of the Father, He appears to his chosen disciples to remind them that His Word is truth. He is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia! His appearance is proof positive of all that He had taught them.
As Jesus left His disciples, He gave them this great commission by first stating that He has authority to give direction. And that direction is to GO, MAKE DISCIPLES, BAPTIZE, and TEACH. In John’s first epistle, he repeats the testimony that God had given them. “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life. . . (1 John 5:11-12)
Jesus not only showed us the way but is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And that is the truth!
Peace
Connected in Him, I stand
GHR
