JOHN 14:6

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.“”

So as always, context matters. When I study a verse, I need to read at least the entire preceding verses in the chapter and the entire prior chapter for the appropriate meaning of the text.

Back in chapter 13 of this same book we see that there were a few things that Jesus foreknew. He knew that the hour had come for him to be taken and ultimately crucified. He knew that the Father had put all things under his power. He also knew that he was from God and was returning to God. He even knew that the one that was going to betray him was in company with him.

That alone is just an amazing thought to ponder. Jesus KNEW that the very person that was going to betray him and give him up was right there breaking bread with him!! Even knowing these things were about to happen, he still had a spirit of servitude. This was evidenced by the fact that he washed his disciple’s feet. He did this to set a standard that we should always be in service to one another. Even to those that we do not like or particularly care for.

He foretold his disciples of the one that would betray him. The fact that he could foretell something that was about to occur is evident that he was who he said he was. And that if you accepted him, you also accepted the one that sent Him, namely God. So, in essence, he was placing himself on the same level as God!

Now let’s dive into Chapter 14 and end with our target verse.

He opens up by comforting his disciples as he had just told them what was about to happen to him. Within his comforting words he states this: “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

And right after he was questioned by Thomas about where he was going and how to get there, Jesus responds by saying in verse 6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

With these words, we see the exclusivity of Jesus’ claims. He had already foretold the disciples of his death that was about to occur. Telling the future is something that only God can do. In doing this alone, he placed himself on the same playing field as the Almighty God. Then he made the claim that no one, NO ONE, could access the father unless they came through him and him alone. Here we see our first example of the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ alone!

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