John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
The I AM’s of Jesus
There are almost 2000 “I AM’s” in the Bible, with most of them being in the Old Testament (1454), but there are more “I AM’s” in the Gospel of John than in any other book of the New Testament with 98! Of course, “I AM” is the name that God gave Moses to tell the children of Israel what God’s name is (Ex. 3:14). The religious leaders of Jesus’ day who frequently persecuted Him knew that this was God’s name and that I AM is reserved for God alone. There was no mistaking Jesus’ claim that He was making Himself out to be God, and the Jews wanted to stone Him for that (John 10:30-33). When He said that He came down from heaven to do the Father’s will, can you imagine how the Jews must have felt (John 6:38)?
The Only Way
Some people have a problem with Jesus’ claim that He is the one and only way that a person can be saved, but the Bible clearly teaches that in Jesus alone there is salvation (Acts 4:12). It isn’t the fact that He is the only way to be saved that is amazing about God’s grace, but that there is any way for anyone to be saved. At least God has provided a way to be saved. This claim that Jesus is the only way to heaven is not politically correct these days in this pluralistic, “many paths” to God philosophy, but the truth of God cannot be compromised. He is the only way that anyone can be saved, and there is no other.
The Grumbling Jews
The Jews already hated Jesus with a passion that cannot even be described, but when He said that He was the bread that came down from heaven, there is no mistaking that they knew He was referring to Israel’s desert wilderness experience (John 6:41). They reasoned that Jesus was only human and that they knew His parents. So how could He claim to be with Israel in ancient times (John 6:42)? He states as fact that no one can possibly go to the Father unless they go through the Son of God, and, even further, Jesus will raise them up on the last day (John 6:44), which is a reference to the day of His return, when all who are in their grave will be raised (Dan. 12:2-3). What do you tell people who think that Jesus’ statement that He is the only way a person can be saved is being narrow-minded? Tell them that you believe God. Jesus never lies. We should rejoice that there is even any way to God the Father and that He is the only way and there is no other.
A Closing Prayer
Righteous, heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus as the one way for us to be saved. Please help me to answer those who disagree with Jesus’ statement, to respond lovingly and in kindness but yet firmly that Jesus says He is the only way and that there is no other. Help me to stand firm on this truthful statement of Jesus, no matter what others might say, and I pray in His holy name.
Amen
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