John 14:6 - The 6th I AM Statement of Jesus The Waymaker!
John 14:6 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, "I am
the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes
to the Father except through Me.
COMMENTARY PEARL
I have three friends from college whom I
text regularly. We don't live near each other,
but we want to stay connected. We want to know
what is going on in each other's lives. I love
these conversations. The only problem is that my
phone does not do well with group texting.
Sometimes it sends the same comment to my friends
seventeen times in a row! It can be a little annoying,
not to mention embarrassing. After this happened
multiple times, I quit responding on the text
thread.
My friend, Jane, called me out. She said,
"Sue, where have you been? We don't care that you
keep sending us a bazillion texts. We want to
hear from you!" I do love being in on the
conversation. It reminds me that if I am not mindful of
other conversations because of the busyness of
life, I can also easily lose sight of how
life-giving my interactions with Him are. He loves me
and He wants to hear from me. And I need to hear
from Him. Just as I touch base with my friends, I
need to touch base with Him in His Word and in
prayer.
WE ALL NEED A MOMENT-BY-MOMENT,
DAY-BY-DAY CONNECTION TO HIM. It is life altering when
we are disengaged from Him, His guidance, and
His truth. Our lives begin to unravel. We need
His presence to set the course for our lives.
His love cradles us in our moments of doubt and
fear. His wisdom sustains us when we are lost and
confused. When we connect to Jesus, we find abundant
life. by Susanna Foth Aughtmon [Mornings With
Jesus 2018 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
COMMENTARY
JESUS IS THE WAY TO A CHANGED LIFE. He is
the way to peace. He is the way to heaven. Jesus
is the way to find freedom from our hurts,
hang-ups, and habits. Jesus is the way - the best way
and the only way.
Jesus is also the truth. Many teachers
claim to have the truth, but only Christ claims to
be the truth. In a world of pretenders and
deceivers, he is the only one we can trust, the only
one who can answer our questions and free us
from the lies of the enemy.
Jesus gives us life. He pulls it from
inside himself and offers it to us freely and
abundantly. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we find
true life - a life free from hurts, hang-ups, and
habits.
Jesus will show you the way. He will tell
you the truth, and he will give you life.
Father God, thank you for lighting up the
path before me, opening my eyes to the truth, and
giving me eternal life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
[Celebrate Recovery Daily Devotional by John & Johnny
Baker]
Through the years, I have been privileged
to know some prominent people. Most of them are
kind, humble people who just happened to be
blessed with great wealth or fame. Rarely do they
play the look-who-l-am card to gain special
attention or garner favors.
For instance, I recently attended the
Byron Nelson Championship golf tournament in
Dallas with Mrs. Byron Nelson. She could have
played her celebrity card, sat in her honorary
private box, been waited on hand and foot, and
watched the tournament from the eighteenth green.
Instead, she wore a volunteer uniform, packed
lunches, and served the golfers in the heat. She's
the real deal, as was her husband.
The great violinist Jascha Heifetz once
arrived in great haste at Radio City in New York,
perilously close to being late for a radio concert with
the NBC Symphony Orchestra. He hastened into the
elevator carrying his violin in its case.
The elevator operator looked at Heifetz's
violin case and said, "You'll have to go in the
freight elevator with that."
"I have no time," said Heifetz. "I'm in a
hurry."
"I don't care," said the operator. "All
musicians with instruments have to ride the freight
elevator. That's the rule."
Exasperated, Heifetz played what he
thought was his trump card: "But I'm Jascha
Heifetz."
And the operator looked him up and down
and replied without blinking, "I don't care if
you're Rubinoff; you have to ride in the freight
elevator."
Like the elevator operator, God does not
show favoritism. He says Jesus is the way to come
to him. You can't travel there by some other
route. No matter who you are, if you want to spend
eternity with him, you have to follow the one and
only way.
Help me, Lord, to follow the Way to
heaven. I want to be humble enough to do what you
have asked me to do. Amen. [The One Year
Devotional of Joy and Laughter by Mary Hollingsworth re
Acts 10:34]
Oh yeah?" Nathan yelled. "Well, my dad
drives a monster truck!"
"That's nothing," Mason replied. "My dad
can eat jalapeno peppers without crying."
For centuries, playground battles have
been fought over the issue of whose dad is
better. You may have even found yourself sticking up
for your dad, saying, "My dad is the best,
because he can throw a Frisbee across an entire
football field."
While these arguments may seem childish,
don't be surprised if you get caught in similar
battles about your faith as you grow up. With so
many different religions and beliefs, you could
end up defending your heavenly Father by
shouting, "Oh yeah, well my God is the only one to
rise from the dead!"
Defending your faith is important, but
it's hard to introduce other people to your
loving Father when you're shouting about how your
God is the biggest and best.
It's true that the God of Christianity is
the one true God. The first commandment says,
"You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus
20:3). Our God is the only God deserving of our
trust and worship.
At the same time, as we defend our
beliefs, we should try not to come across as
close-minded know-it-alls. That only turns off other
people from accepting Jesus as Savior. Many of the
people you meet will value tolerance above honesty,
integrity, and conviction. That's a sad statement about
society, but it's true. Tolerance has also seeped
into the belief systems of many Christians. A
survey of people who said they were Christians
found that 70 percent of them thought many
religions could lead to eternal life. That's just not
the case!
Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth
and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me" (John 14:6). We need to live with
confidence, knowing that God is the only way to eternal
life. As we interact with people, we should strive
to show love and respect. We can't bully or
argue anybody into believing the truth about God.
But our words and actions can demonstrate God's
love, which could lead people to understand that
his way is the only way to go. [Case For Christ
For Kids by Les Strobel]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
I am the Truth - unchanging, transcendent
Truth! Many, many people believe that truth is
relative - to the situation, the person, the day. But
only absolute truth can provide a firm foundation
for your life. Everything else is shifting sand.
Because I am inerrant Truth, all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Me.
You can find everything you need in your
relationship with Me. I provide the foundation on which
to build your life, and I Myself am Life. So
the closer you live to Me, the more alive you
will feel!
Many people struggle with issues of
identity, wondering who they really are and what
they're supposed to be doing with their lives. But
the more fully you know Me - the Truth - the
better you can understand yourself and the meaning
of your life. So make every effort to know Me
as I truly am. Also, be prepared to tell others
about the Savior-God who has redeemed you and set
you free. (John 14:6; Col. 2:2, 3; 1Pe. 3:15)
[Jesus Always by Sarah Young]
I am as near as a whispered prayer:
listening attentively even to your softest utterance.
People who are in love like to be near each other -
usually as close as possible. Often they whisper
words of endearment to each other, words that no
one else can hear. This sort of closeness, with
hushed words of love, is always available to you in
your relationship with Me. I am near to all who
call on Me, even if your call is the faintest
whisper. This promise is for all who call on Me in
truth - who know Me as the Truth.
Of course, I respond also to silent
prayers, but whispering your words can help you feel
closer to Me. Hearing your own voice - however
faintly - reinforces your connection with Me. It
strengthens your awareness of My unseen Presence and
draws you into My loving embrace. Although I
rarely speak audibly to My children, you can hear
My gentle whispers in your heart. Hear Me
saying, "I am with you. I love you. I will never
leave you or forsake you." (Psa. 145:18; John
14:6; Jos. 1:5; 1Ki. 19:11, 12) [Jesus Today by
Sarah Young]
Hold My hand and walk joyously with Me
through this day. Together we will savor the
pleasures and endure the difficulties it brings. Be on
the lookout for everything I have prepared for
you: stunning scenery, bracing winds of
adventure, cozy nooks for resting when you are weary;
and much more. I am your Guide, as well as your
constant Companion. I know every step of the journey
ahead of you, all the way to heaven.
You don't have to choose between staying
close to Me and staying on course. Since I am the
Way, staying close to Me is staying on course. As
you focus your thoughts on Me. I will guide you
carefully along today's journey. Don't worry about
what is around the next bend. Just concentrate on
enjoying My Presence and staying in step with Me.
(John 14:6; Col. 4:2) [Jesus Calling by Sarah
Young]
There is an open road ahead of you - all
the way to heaven. I am your traveling
Companion, and I know every twist and turn of your
path. You see problems and limitations impeding
your progress no matter which direction you look.
But your vision is ever so limited. All I ask of
you is to take the next small step - refusing to
give up, refusing to stop trusting Me.
Your life is truly a faith-walk, and I am
absolutely faithful! Though your understanding will
fail you, I never will. The challenge before you
is to stop focusing on your problems and
limitations - and to believe that the way ahead really
is an open road, in spite of how it looks.
I am the Way to the Father in heaven.
Remember how much I had to suffer in order to open up
the path of Life for you. No one else will ever
have to endure what I went through. When you are
struggling, simply take the next step and thank Me for
clearing the way before you - all the way to heaven.
(1Co. 10:13; 2Co. 5:7; John 14:6; Psa. 16:11)
[Jesus Today by Sarah Young]
Put your trust in Me, and I will keep you
safe. There is a deep, deep yearning in your heart
for safety and security. You can mask these
longings with activity for a time, but only for a
time. These feelings actually serve a very good
purpose. Properly used, they can point you to Me and
My sufficiency. I am the only One who can
really, ultimately keep you safe.
Whenever you start to feel insecure -
about anything - come to Me. Talk with Me about
your fears and concerns; then affirm your trust
in Me. Voicing your trust connects you with Me
at a deep level. It also pushes back the
darkness of deception. The evil one has been
deceiving people ever since time began, since the
Garden of Eden. Do not listen to his lies. Instead,
put your trust in Me, for I am absolute Truth.
As you come to know Me - the Truth - better and
better, I make you increasingly free. (Pro. 29:25;
Gen. 3:13; John 14:6; 8:32) [Jesus Today by Sarah
Young]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Never Say, "No Way"
I often hear people say, "There is no way
that is going to work," or "There is no way I can
do this," or There is no way I will ever get
out of debt." I have said similar things in my
life, and those statements are inaccurate, because
Jesus is the Way! With men, many things are
impossible, but with God all things are possible (see
Matthew 19:26).
Are you facing a seemingly impossible
situation right now? If so, don't despair and don't
say, "There is no way!" Isaiah said that God
would even make a way in the wilderness and bring
rivers in the desert (see Isaiah 43:19). There is
always an answer to any problem when Jesus is
working on our behalf. Our part is to believe, and
when we do, God will go to work and we will be
amazed as we witness the things that only He can
do.
After being sexually abused for many
years by my father and abandoned by my mother, I
thought there was no way I could ever have a happy,
normal life, but I was wrong. God heals the
brokenhearted! He makes all things new and gives us life
worth living. Only believe, and you will see the
glory of God! (See John 11:40.) Doubt your doubts,
face your fears, and even when all human reason
for hope seems gone, hope in faith that God will
make a way!
Thank You, Jesus, that You always make a
way, even when there seems to be no way. You are
the "Way-maker." [My Time with God by Joyce
Meyer]
GREAT CHRISTIAN MUSICAL ON THE WAYMAKER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzkmtpMZimQ
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2013/20130623-1820.html
EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON 28 REVELATIONS OF
JESUS
1st of 28: Divine Dining:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_7j1QIKqmY
2nd of 28: Pictures of the Divine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lNI-OQ7-eQ
3rd of 28: A Dirty Bible:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkPvBuuFd4
4th of 28: Cared For:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztXyJVdcCds
5th of 28: Saved:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX45kGRe1HI
6th of 28: You Can Change:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd0gkvK18fo
7th of 28: Reprogramming Our Brains:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov36f_RapXc
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs FGGibbs@abible.com
