“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’”
(John 14:6 NKJV)

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Jesus is the only way to salvation

The general context (John 14-16) records Jesus’ final instructions and consolation to His disciples. He is the one way to the cross. These last words would stabilize His disciples until He could visit them again as their resurrected Lord.

He has promised to prepare a place for them and to come for them (John 14:1-3). When He says, “And where I go you know, and the way you know” (John 14:4), Thomas confesses ignorance of the way (John 14:5).

In answer to his confusion, Jesus utters the famous words of verse 6: “I am the way…” He does not merely show the way. Each word deserves emphasis. He is the way—He and no other. He is the way (He does not merely teach the way to Heaven; He is it). He is the way (there is only one). He is the way—the means of passing from one place or state to another.

This affirmation agrees with His prayer in the garden: “...O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” — Matthew 26:39. The Father Himself made His Son the only way to salvation in heaven.

Jesus embodies the truth. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” — John 1:14.

Jesus is the life. He has life in Himself (John 5:26); He has the words of life (John 6:68).

No one can come to the Father except through Him. We depend on Him for our salvation—there is no other (Acts 4:12).

The way leads to God; the truth sets us free; the life produces fellowship. He is the way because He is the truth and the life.

– Rick Duggin