The Way (John 14:1-7)
After his first day of kindergarten, my younger brother Aaron got on the wrong bus. The bus driver immediately recognized the problem, and he radioed the school. The secretary called Mom and told her what had happened and that she didn’t need to worry.
It’s good that Mom didn’t worry, for Aaron worried enough for both of them. When he got home, he, with tears in his eyes, said, “I thought they put me on one of them dog buses, and I’d never see you again.” Yes, he thought he had gotten on a Greyhound, and he’d never get home.
How many of you have gotten lost? Did you ever miss an exit? Have you ever gotten such horrible directions that you ended up more lost than before you asked? Fellas, have you ever gotten lost because your wife wasn’t in the car and you didn’t what to do?
Jesus told the disciples that he was going away to prepare a place for them, and he told them they knew the way to where he was going. Thomas said, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (Jn 14:5). Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6).
From Jesus’s words we learn: “Jesus is the only way to the Father.”
Scripture (John 14:1-7)
verse 1:
The “you” is plural; Jesus spoke to all his disciples. In the next few hours, as he was betrayed and crucified, the disciples would have troubled hearts. However, by trusting Jesus and the Father, the disciples could overcome their troubled hearts.
verses 2-4:
In the Father’s house are “many rooms.” Yes, the older translations have “mansions” here, but that translation doesn’t actually convey the Greek. The word picture depicts God’s people as one big family all under the same roof; the image is family and togetherness and love. Would you rather have a big mansion all to yourself or be surrounded by family and love?
Jesus promised that he’d come again and receive them unto himself. Further, Jesus promised the disciples that they knew the way to where he was going.
verse 5-6:
Thomas admitted that he and the other disciples didn’t know what Jesus was talking about—they knew neither the place nor the way.
Jesus then affirmed that he is the way, and he is the only way to the Father.
verse 7:
One knows the Father by knowing Jesus.
Application
“Jesus is the only way to the Father.” No one can go to the Father any other way. Muhammad will not save; Buddha will not save; no self-proclaimed guru will save; no pastor will save; no Pope will save; no preacher will save. Only Jesus.
Because Jesus is the only way to the Father, you have two responsibilities.
One: Perceive the Way
You need to know the way. Jesus said the way is knowable: “You know the way to where I am going” (Jn 14:4). As you Perceive the way, understand that Jesus is that way: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6).
You get to know Jesus through the word of God. Jesus said the Old Testament spoke about him: “You search the Scriptures [the Old Testament] because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (Jn 5:39). The New Testament leads to faith in Jesus: John 20:30-31.
Spend time in the word of God to know Jesus. Read the prophecies of his first coming. Read the Gospels to see him in the flesh. Perceive Jesus.
Two: Pursue the Way
If you want to go to heaven, you’d better follow Jesus, for he is the way: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). Do not deviate from the path; Pursue Jesus.
Jesus expects you to Pursue him. “Whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Matt 10:38). “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn 8:12). “Christ . . . suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Pet 2:21).
Ask yourself: How closely am I following Jesus? Am I living as he did in this world? Am I speaking as he did in this world? Am I loving as he did in this world? Am I praying as he did in this world? How well do you Pursue Jesus?
Conclusion
This morning, I’ve just talked about knowing and following Jesus as the way to heaven. I haven’t once mentioned the plan of salvation. I haven’t said that you need to have your doctrine right. I haven’t said that you need to be a member of the one church. I haven’t said that you need to live in holiness instead of sin.
Do you know why? Because when you really Perceive—know—Jesus and when you Pursue—follow—Jesus, those things take care of themselves. When you know Jesus, you’ll know what he taught. When you follow Jesus, you’ll do what he taught.
But how well do you know Jesus this morning? How well do you follow Jesus this morning?
This sermon was originally preached by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at Church of Christ Deer Park in Deer Park, Texas.