“I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.”
The Gospel of John is built around two groups of miracles. One, in the realm of Words. The other, in the realm of Works.
John’s Gospel was not written to give a chronological exposition of the life of Jesus Christ, as the Synoptics do. John’s purpose in writing was to prove that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. Chapter 19:31 “But these things are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you might have life through His name.”
To fulfill this purpose John chose seven miracles in the realm of Words and seven in the realm of Works. The miracles in the realm of Works are as follows.
1. The changing of water into wine. - Chapter 2:1-12
2. The healing of the nobleman’s son. - Chapter 4:46-56
3. The healing of the impotent man. - Chapter 5: 1-16
4. The five thousand fed. - Chapter 6:1-14
5. Jesus walks on the water. - Chapter 6:15-21
6. Jesus heals the man born blind. - Chapter 9
7. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. - Chapter 11
The miracles in the realm of Words.
1. I am the Bread of Life. - Chapter 6
2. I am the Light of the world. - Chapter 9
3. I am the Door. - Chapter 10
4. I am the Good Shepherd. - Chapter 10
5. I am the resurrection and the life. - Chapter 11
6. I am the Way. - Chapter 14
7. I am the True Vine. - Chapter 15
Calvary was less than a week away. The Lord was seeking to prepare the disciples for His departure from this scene. An event and crisis for which they were totally unprepared.
The question that Thomas asked in verse 5, “Lord, we do not know where Thou goest; so how can we know the way?”, was really Peter’s question of Chapter 13:36, “Lord where goest Thou?” Ignorance or unbelief had prompted these questions. The Lord had told them on at least three occasions of His impending death—burial—and resurrection. Stress this great truth. The Gospel.
There are many perplexing questions which occupy the mind of man. Among the greatest of these is the question of the right approach or way to God. The Lord mentions two ways—The broad and narrow way.
The shroud of confusion envelops many today in a mantel of darkness as they consider the devious ways that man’s unbridled imagination has developed. Mention a few at this point. Cain. No sense of sin. No need of atonement. Mainline religion—Cults—Agnosticism—Infant baptism.
Despite what the ingenuity of man has developed, and despite the slavish enthusiasm by which false propaganda is distributed, the Bible says that Jesus Christ is the only way to God, and heaven.
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.”
“There is one Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus.”
“Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we can be saved.”
In spite of this clear teaching many are still confused. The first convert at Bethany—Betty Bius—The young man who looked in.
On what are you depending for your salvation. “What can wash away my sin.” On whom are you trusting for your eternal destiny. “There’s only hope in trusting Jesus.”
Professing to be and acting like a Christian will not save you—Simon. Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of God. Not even some who will say—Lord, Lord, we have prophesied in Thy name, we have cast out demons, and we have done many wonderful works. Then I will say to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” “Who then can be saved?”
Those who are in the kingdom are those who do the will of My Father in heaven. It is the will of God that you should not perish, but that you should come to repentance. It is God’s will that you should believe and “receive Christ” as your Savior. In return for your faith—God will give you eternal life—an incorruptible inheritance, that fadeth not away. “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve” etc.
“Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall” etc.
“What shall I then do with Jesus who is called the Christ.”
“Oh what shall the answers be.”
“What will you do with Jesus—Oh what will the answers be.”
“I’ll just take Him home with me” etc.
The only hope of Christianity is in the rehabilitating of Paul’s theology. It is back, back, back to the incarnate Christ, the atoning blood, the glorious resurrection, or it is on, on, on to atheism and despair.
The word “believe” occurs in John’s Gospel, in its various forms 98 times. The word “life” occurs 55 times. John wrote—“These things are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through His name.” The fact is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. To be saved we must believe this fundamental truth, and in believing we will receive eternal life.
John declares in Chapter 1 verse 4 “In Christ was life, and the life was the light of men.” John establishes at the beginning of his Gospel that eternal life is in the Son of God.
In Chapter 3:14-16 he says, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John teaches us here that eternal life is imparted to us through faith in the atoning work of the Son of God and that it is everlasting.
John continues in Chapter 5 and verse 24: “Verily, verily, I say unto you: He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment; but is passed from death unto life.”
John declares at this point the glorious truth, that possession of eternal life through faith in the Son of God gives exemption from judgment. There has been a passing over from death in sin unto life in Christ.
Describe the penal judgment from which we have been delivered.
John reminds us in Chapter 17:24 that the climax is reached when the Lord prays, “Father I will that they also whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory.”
So then the eternal life which the believer possesses through the Son of God is to be consummated in a heavenly glorification. Who can measure what is involved in such immensities? Yet how simple is the way into this eternal life.
“Oh how unlike the complex works of man
Heavens easy, artless unencumbered plan!
No meritricious graces to beguile
No clustering ornaments to clog the pile;
From ostentation as from weakness free,
Majestic in its simplicity.
Inscribed above the portal, from afar
Conspicuous as the brightness of a star,
Legible only by the light they give,
Stand the soul-quickening words
Believe and live.”