The Way, Truth & Life

Read Aloud: John 1:9-18

Open

1. Recall a time you were talking to someone and they just weren’t getting what you were saying? How did it make you feel? How did they respond to your emotions?
2. Why don’t you like backseat drivers? What is most offensive about someone telling you the right way to go?

Jesus has finally convinced his disciples that He is leaving, and they can’t bear the thought. They want to follow, but the destination is heaven and the path is impossible for man to travel. How can Jesus reassure His disciples about their future, knowing He is about to die? In a nutshell, Jesus says “don’t worry, I’ll come back and get you.” But in matters of life and death that is an insufficient explanation. So, Jesus packs His assurances with some of the most profound claims you’ll find in scripture. Indeed, probably the most amazing claims in human history. No rational philosopher, religious leader, thinker, or even mystic has ever claimed anything so radical as Jesus does right here. He alone embodies the truth and even life itself. He alone provides the way to God. He even claims deity—the visible manifestation of God. In today’s lesson, take the time to consider how profound and far reaching Jesus’ claims are. 

Reflect

1. Reread John 14:2-5. Describe what Thomas was looking for. Where does Jesus say He is going? 
2. The Way. Read Hebrews 10:19-20. What specifics does that passage give you on the way to the Father? What are “holy places” and “curtain” referring to and to what is the author paralleling it? 
3. The Truth. Read John 18:37-38. In a dictionary (or on your phone) lookup the definition of ‘Truth.’ In what way (or ways) are Jesus and Pilate using the word? Why would Pilate question that there is any truth?
4. The Life. Read 1 John 5:10-12. What do you think it means to “have life” in this passage?
5. Read John 5:21-24. What power do both God the Father and God the Son have? What sort of life is Jesus talking about and how can you get it?
6. In John 14:1 Jesus says, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” Jesus is about to go to the cross, but why do you think the disciples would be troubled? In what way does John 14:6-7 give them comfort? In what ways do Jesus’ claims bring you comfort?
7. Jesus statement that no one comes to the Father but through Him is immediately offensive to modern hearers. But His offer is actually open to all, inclusive and free. It does not require being in the inner circle, having hidden knowledge, or entering through secret rites of passage. List some organizations, companies, schools, countries, and religions. How do you join them? Who can get in and who can’t? Contrast those with Jesus’ offer.
8. You have to love Thomas. His statement in John 14:5 is direct, simple, and honest. Who in your circle of friends is most like Thomas? How would you explain Jesus’ response in verse 6 to that person?

So, I am . . .

The famous Hindu mystic Ramakrishna wrote, “God can be realized through all paths. All religions are true.” That is such a wonderful sentiment, but it can’t be true. We need to face the fact that everyone is in Thomas’ shoes. We don’t know exactly where the Father’s House is, so we certainly don’t know how to get there. The only possible way we can be reconciled to God the Father is by God Himself reaching out to us. We simply cannot invent our own Way, define our own Truth, and create our own Life. All that must be revealed to us. Praise God for revealing Himself and His plan by sending His son to us twice: First, to tell us the good news and through His death to open the Father’s front door, and second, to come back and take us home.

Imagine you are telling someone about Jesus, and they give the common response, “I’m glad that works for you. After all, ‘all paths lead to God.’” How will you explain Jesus’ open invitation and why it is different than all other religions? Who might need this conversation? Pray that God would open a door for loving, truthful interaction.