I Am the Way

We’re going to take a closer look at the verse John 14:6. It’s a well-known verse, one that I’m guilty of passing over because I’ve heard it so many times. We’re excited to bring you a new perspective on this verse today.

God’s Living Word

Most days, I read the verse of the day on the You Version Bible app. It has a verse, but also has a video commentary, and usually some sort of devotion and prayer to help you understand the verse and apply it to your life.

A few weeks ago, I looked at the verse of the day, and honestly was a little bummed. I thought, “I already know that one” and didn’t think I’d learn anything new. Did God have a plan for me that day! I know this shouldn’t surprise me because it happens all the time, but God’s Word truly is a Living Word. Every time I read it, I gain new understanding, new knowledge, a new way of seeing things.

I’ll share the verse, but I want to give you some context about what was going on with Jesus and the disciples at the time. The disciples were with Jesus in the upper room during the last supper. Jesus had already predicted Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial. He told them he would soon be leaving. Peter asked where he was going because he wanted to go with him. Jesus responded in John 14:1-6

I’ve heard this verse so many times and since I’m already a Christian, I just pass over it. I think of it as a verse to quote to those not yet saved. But the commentary on this verse gave me a new perspective.

Before we get into that, let me give you some background really quick. For the last two years or so, I’ve been feeling restless and uncertain. Just feeling confused as to what I’m supposed to do with my life to bring meaning to the world. Maybe it’s a midlife thing, I don’t know. I want to do big things for God, and I want to be used by him. So, I’ll start some big project or task. But one thing that hit me today when thinking about this verse, is a saying I heard a while ago. I don’t remember where, but it said,

“Stop doing things for God and start doing things with God”.

This hit me hard! I’ve been trying to come up with what I think I should do for God, and I’ve been leaving him out of the process. I want to do things with God! I want him to lead me. I want to move mountains for God, but maybe what he’s calling me to right now isn’t a mountain-sized thing, but whatever it is, it’s important. Scott’s famous saying is, “We need to stop trying to fit God into our lives and fit our lives into God.” It’s apparent to me that I don’t know the way and the result is feeling confused and uncertain as I have for the last few years. I’ll share with you the clarity I gained when studying this passage.

A New Perspective

As we look more closely at these verses in John, Jesus is telling his disciples everything that is going to happen. He tells them that he is going ahead of them to prepare a place in his Father’s house.

But Thomas (known as doubting Thomas), asks for more detail, “We don’t know where you’re going, so how can we know the way?” I hate to admit it, but I totally identify with Thomas in wanting more information. But instead of giving Thomas the answer he wanted – a detailed timeline, itinerary, or map with his route planned out, Jesus says, “I am the way.”

Gah!!! That would drive me crazy! As someone who likes control, needs a detailed, step by step plan, needs to see and know what to expect, this answer from Jesus is so hard to accept.

The profound truth that I realized when I listened to the video about that verse and read the devotion, is that on this journey of life, Jesus is the way. It’s not just a verse to point the way to salvation and eternity, though it definitely is that. This verse tells me that when I’m feeling lost, confused, and restless, Jesus is the way. Does any of this sound familiar? 

So, I guess the question for all of us is, how much do we trust Jesus to lead us? Are we willing to give up control? Do we have faith in Jesus to lead us in and through the unknown?

In life, we won’t always know the details of the journey, and the path can be tricky and painful; it can take unexpected turns. But our mission and our destination stay the same. And who better to lead us when we cannot see the way, than Jesus, who has already proven he loves us enough to die for us. He is the one you can trust to guide you.

Jesus, you are the way. So simple, and it’s all I need to know.