Jesus the Only (Part 1): The Only Way

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me’” (John 14:6, NASB). Today we begin a three part series titled Jesus the Only. This series addresses the claim by many, both non Christians and Christians alike that there is more than one way to God. Many are claiming that Jesus Christ of Nazareth is not the only way to God because all religions worship the same God. Christians today should not be alarmed or dismayed by these claims because such claims existed during the life of Jesus, and they have continued throughout the ages. This three part series seeks not to disclaim other religions, but they seek to give insight on Jesus’ statement about Himself stated in the above passage found in John 14:6. The first part is titled The Only Way. Next week’s article is titled The Only Truth, and the third article is titled The Only Life. If we are to understand Jesus’ statement, we must look at the statement in its context. In the gospel of John, the writer begins by saying “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men” (John 1:1-3, NASB). From the beginning the writer asserts that there is one God who created the world through His Word. In the Genesis text we read “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (1:1, NASB). The Genesis text stakes the claim that all other religions with their gods did not create the world as claimed by the existing religions in the world. There is no attempt to explain other religions and their gods; instead the biblical writers simply declare that the God of Israel is the only creator of the world. Their God created life and gives life to those who believe in Him. As stated above, Christians have always had to face opposition to their claims about Jesus the Son of God. Now, according to most scholars the gospel of John was written around A.D. 80 to A.D. 100. This was a time when the Christian religion had to compete with various Greek philosophies. In the four gospels Jesus finds Himself in conflict with the Jewish religious rulers, the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah promised by the prophets. They see Him as an intruder, a blasphemer, and as one doing miracles in the name of the devil. So, when John writes his gospel he does not argue with the Greek philosophers. Rather, he tells his audience the story of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He states that Jesus died on the cross so that a bridge could be built over the great gulf that divides people from God. He writes that Jesus performed many signs, but he records only a few of them “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:21, NASB). Let us look at the claim that Jesus makes about Himself. Jesus claims to be the Son of God. He is one with the Father. He is sent from the Father to do the works that the Father has given Him to do, but the religious leaders do not know who He is. According to their understanding of the scriptures Jesus does not meet the criteria for being the Christ. Today, many do not believe that Jesus is who He says that He is because Jesus does not meet their requirements to be their Lord and Savior. Jesus claims to be the One who gives the Spirit to those who believe in Him. The Spirit gives new life that is eternal (see John 7:37-39). Jesus is the Son of God. He alone is God’s agent by which humankind can be forgiven of sins and restored to a relationship with the Father. While other religions claim to help us to get in touch with nature, the universe, and the god in ourselves, Jesus alone makes the claim that there is one God, and He alone is the way to God. Jesus is the only way to the Father. First, let us look at the word “way.” The Greek word for “way” means a natural path, road, way, or “a traveler’s way.” It is used metaphorically of “a course of conduct,” or “way of thinking.” In John 14:6 it is “personified, of Christ as the means as the means of access to the Father (W. E. Vine Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, [Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1996], 668-669. When Jesus says “I am the way” this does not mean that people cannot know anything about God except they believe in Jesus. People can know some things about God through nature. “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1, NASB). The apostle Paul writes, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” Rom. 1:20, NASB). Also, Paul says that people know that God exist through human conscience whether or not they have the Law (of Moses) to guide them. He writes, “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them” (Rom. 2:14-15, NASB). Thus, Jesus’ claim is not that we can know nothing about God except through Jesus, but Jesus is the only way that we can be restored to a right relationship with God. Jesus says that He is the way. He is the only road that leads to the Father. Let me explain. In January 1998 I moved to Louisville, Kentucky to attend seminary. I made contact with the sister of a friend here in Nashville and she invited me to attend her church. I had the name of the church and she gave me directions from the hotel where I was staying to her church. I even had MapQuest directions. I followed the directions given to me, but I was unable to find the church. I drove around and at last I saw a church. I could tell that I was close to a church, but I could not know for sure that it was the right church. I saw a sign that pointed in the direction of the church. I tried going down several streets but none of them could take me to the church. I continued searching and finally I found the street that the church was on and it took me to the church. The only way to the church was to get on the street that the church is located. When Jesus says to His disciples that He is the way, He is saying that the only way to the Father is through Him. Did you notice that the directions given to me by my friend and those given by MapQuest were not accurate, at least as I understood them? When I found the right street I easily found the church. When Jesus tells His disciples that He is the way He uses the definite article (the) indicating that He is not one of many ways to get to the Father. The Pharisees and Sadducees know the Law and they know about God, but they cannot get people to God. The prophets and kings of Israel cannot get the people to God. God required a sinless human sacrifice and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23) and are thus disqualified to provide a way to God. Jesus says to all “‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. ‘For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it’” (Matt. 7:13-14, NASB). When Jesus says to His disciples “I am the way he is preparing them for His departure. He is returning to the Father, but He is coming back for them, and He will give them a room in His kingdom. While He is gone Jesus has a work for His disciples to do. They are to tell the Jews that their Messiah has come. They are to love one another (John 13:34-35) and invite people of every ethnic group to come into the kingdom by accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord. Those who believe in Him will receive the Spirit and have a new life including a new way of living. This is the message that they are to proclaim to the world. Jesus is the only way to the Father. Next week’s title is The Only Truth.