14:5
John gives Thomas far more of a mention than any of the synoptics do. Why is this? The clue lies in the very purpose for which John says he wrote his gospel, so that we may believe. Thomas is a man full of doubt and a very much down to earth no nonsense approach. This is brought out most clearly when he says he will only believe Jesus is raised from the dead if he can touch him. Yet the final words we hear from Thomas are “my Lord and my God”. If Thomas believed so can we. Thomas expresses his no nonsense approach here, stating quite bluntly that they didn’t know where Jesus was going, so how could they possibly know the way. If you don’t know where you are going, there is no chance of you knowing how to get there!
14:6
We then get one of the most famous “I am” statements, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” If we know Jesus then we know the way. The “way” is not a series of directions, it is not a road map. Rather it is about knowing the person of Jesus Christ. It is about believing in Him and entrusting ourselves to Him. He is also the truth and the life. Everything must be measured against Jesus, and He is the one who gives us life. Moreover, He is the only way to the Father. Some will object that this is exclusive, rejecting other religions. The answer is that yes, it is indeed exclusive in terms of defining the way, but the way is open to all who will repent and believe. But most who object are looking at things in a purely human way, as if we are the ones who decide how to get to God! God is the only one who can decide how we can get to know Him!
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