Jesus The Way, and The Truth, and The Life

"I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

This name is the most comprehensive of John's designations of Christ, and it is used once in the above passage.  "No one", he adds, "comes to the Father, save by me."  "The Way" recalls the saying in Matthew 7:13, "Enter by the narrow gate", which goes on to describe two ways, one leading to life and the other to death.  There is also a close parallel in Hebrews 10:19f, "Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which he opened for us through the veil, that is, through his flesh..., let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith."  Even this passage, however, is not a true parallel to John's statement, for, while it speaks of Christ as having opened a way "through His flesh" into the heavenly world, it does not directly describe Him as Himself "the Way".  The nearest approach to this conception is Ephesians 2:18, where it is said of Jew and of Gentile, "Through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father."  It is apparent that John has taken a new and creative step when he presents Christ as "the Way".  Christ as known and worshipped is "the Way"; it is the experience of the Church which is embodied in the name, because Christ has been found to be the living way to the Father.  The name elucidates the primary religious discovery. 

-excerpt was adapted from The Names of Jesus by Vincent Taylor pg 143-4

Jesus The Way, and The Truth, and The Life - Pt 2

"I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

The name "the Truth" can be understood against the background of John's use of the word.  John is indebted both to the Old Testament word meaning "faithfulness", and "reliability", and to the Greek conception of truth in contrast with falsehood, or reality over against appearance.  Sometimes when this word Truth is used it appears to mean God's revelation.  Thus, John says, "Thy word is truth" (John 17:17), and speaks of knowing the truth which shall make men free. (8:32).  He can also represent Christ as saying that the purpose of His coming into the world is that He "should bear witness to the truth", that is, should be the bearer of God's revelation.  When, therefore, Christ is named "the Truth", the meaning is that this revelation is embodied in His person.  John's name reflects a definitely Christian theology.

-excerpt was adapted from The Names of Jesus by Vincent Taylor pg 144

Jesus The Way, and The Truth, and The Life - Pt 3

"I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

The full force of the names of Jesus - "The Way, The Truth, and The Life," is perceived only when they are taken together, as John uses them.  So far from the second and third being subordinate to the first, there is progressive meaning in the composite name.  Jesus is "the Way", through whom, as "the Truth", we receive the knowledge of God, and in whom, as "the Life", we have here and now eternal life.  The words which follow the three names, "No one comes to the Father, but by me" (14:6b), refer, not only to the first, but to all.  Christ is "the Way" to the Father because He is also "the Truth" and "the Life".  The exclusiveness is fully justified, if the name is taken as one whole; for of whom else can it be said that He is the way to the Father, perfect revelation of God, and the giver of fulness of life? The name "the Word" is the profoundest name of John's titles, but it may be doubted if there is any so rich in religious meaning as "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life".  As such, it belongs to the essential data of Christology.

-excerpt was adapted from The Names of Jesus by Vincent Taylor pg 145-6

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