John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me. Mistakes have been made the occasion of profoundest utterances. It was so here. — I. "I AM THE WAY." Man's primal communion with God in Eden was broken by his fall. Henceforth humanity became as an islet in mid-ocean, without material for bridge or boat. And the Eternal Word became flesh in order that He himself might become the causeway which should reconnect the island man and the continent God. He not only shows the way, as our Teacher, He is the way itself, the true ladder connecting earth and heaven. He is alike the portal, the line of direction, the true Scala Santa, "The great world's altar stairs that slope through darkness up to God." His Via Dolorosa is our Via Gloriosa. His valley of Achor is our door of hope. II. "I AM THE TRUTH." 1. In distinction from what is symbolic. He is the fulfiller and realizer of all prophetic hints. Thus He is said to be the True Light, the True Bread, the True Tabernacle, etc. 2. In distinction from what is phenomenal. For truths are ever greater than facts. There is no necessary morality in mere facts as such, e.g., in the fact that every particle of matter attracts every other particle in the direct ratio of its mass, and in the inverse ratio of the square of its distance. Truth is moral, and can exist only in connection with person, i.e., a person who shall somehow stand as its end or representation. Such a person is Christ. He not only has truth, He is the Truth — Himself its eternal embodiment; its source, means, and end. He is the meaning of facts. All things have been created through Him and for Him. He is creation's definition or final cause. III. "I AM THE LIFE." 1. Of all animate existence; all things are also subsisting in Him. 2. Particularly is this true of man. (1) Jesus Christ is the life of our bodily nature. Poor Marthas and Marys may weep by the tombs of dead brothers; but Jesus Christ shall say, "I am the Resurrection and the Life."(2) Of our spiritual nature, "God hath given unto us eternal life and this life, is in His Son." Conclusion: Christ is the only way, "No man cometh," etc. Other voices indeed proclaim the contrary; but they are the voices of false prophets. Liberalism says: "There are many ways to the Father; for instance, nature, aesthetics, charity," etc. Materialism says: "It is through the uplifting of environment." Ecclesiasticism says: "It is through the Church, the sacraments." But all who undertake to climb over into the fold by any other way are thieves and robbers. (G. D. Boardman, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. |
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