Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6

By this point in the book of John, we have already seen Jesus’ triumphal entry (12:12-15), the celebration of the Passover meal (13:1-30), and a new command to love one another (13:34-35). 

Jesus tells his disciples that he is leaving and that they cannot come immediately, although they will follow him later (13:33, 36). This was not a new concept to the disciples, they had heard Jesus speak of leaving before, but they seemed to realize it was happening soon and Peter says he wants to follow Jesus (13:37) and Thomas questions Jesus about where he is going and how to find the way (14:5). Jesus replies, “I am the way.” Jesus is the way. Jesus is the truth. Jesus is the life.

As the way, Jesus is the singular route to God. There are no other means to God than to obey Jesus Christ and come and follow him. In his death, Jesus perfectly fulfilled the old covenant laws. We are no longer standing in the courtyard of the temple awaiting priestly sacrifices and the high priest’s yearly sacrifice of atonement. The curtain into the holy of holies has been torn and direct access to God has been enabled.

As the truth, Jesus again issues his claim as a member of the Trinity. Deuteronomy 32:4 describes God as “…righteous and true” while Psalms 31:5 says that he is the “…God of truth”. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had their own “truth” bound in their traditions. Many people today have their own “truth” solely found within themselves or deny that truth can be obtained. But all truth ultimately points to Christ, the very embodiment of truth.

As the life, Jesus is the only giver and sustainer of life. The life that is spoken of in this passage is not referring to life on this earth, but rather the eternal life in the new creation. As Jesus spoke with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21), the Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-26), and the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-22) we see that eternal life is offered freely to those who obey, come, and follow Jesus.

Direct access to God is only possible by way of Jesus Christ, who is truth himself, and the giver and sustainer of eternal life. Let us rejoice in our Savior, Jesus.