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Chapter 4 - Jesus the Source of Truth

Jesus declare three things about himself

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. - John 14:6

1. The Way. The word used here is one for 'road' the implication being that there is a journey or transition that in itself denotes change. However, the personalization indicates that this change is not possible without Jesus and that he is the means by which this journey is undertaken and completed.

2. The Truth. The Life. It can be helpful to combine these two items as it helps to flesh out a deeper understanding. Too often we only consider truth that to be what is right and life to be the eternal life we get in Christ and gets us into heaven. It can be helpful to see these operate actively as dynamic, expanding, and pervasive forces that infuse us and bring us closer to Jesus.

Since Christians are of the truth and 'hear' the voice of Jesus, Jesus is critical to the process of changing us and bringing us out of our old life of self and into our new life in him.

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. - John 10:25-28

Jesus described how he imparts eternal life by equating it to the life sustaining properties of bread. Many people mistake the illustration as a sort of cannibalism. However, since Jesus is called the word of God, it should be understood that we are to take in this word at least as vigorously as we eat bread to sustain our physical life.

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. - John 6:51

Peter also found the illustration confusing however, he remained faithful to what he understood.

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. - John 6:66-68

And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. - Luke 4:3-4

We can see that God works through his word, with his Son, and by his Spirit to infuse us with truth to purify us and draw us nearer.

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. - John 17:17

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. - Isaiah 55:10-11

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.- John 16:13

That which flows from God is truth and is vital to us as water. When we turn from God, we become unable to receive or keep that with which he would fill us.

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. - Jeremiah 2:13

Jesus is more than just an example for us. He is the word of God and truth. When we eat bread we break down the carbohydrates and distribute them to every cell in our body so that we can extract the energy we need to live life. When we take in truth (the word of God (Jesus)), we are infused with truth, the living water that saturates us with eternal life.

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. - Matthew 28:20

 

  

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