The declaration of our Lord Jesus
Christ – I AM THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE is very popular and is
widely known. All of us in general rely very much on this saying of the Lord
and bounce with certitude that because we worship Jesus Christ we have the
passport to enter and enjoy the glory of eternal life. Is it possible or certain
for anyone to reach the destination for the reason that one has found the way?
Can the way take the traveler to its destination? Can the traveler reach the
destination and reap the fruits thereof lay in preserve simply because he is
able to sing hymns on its charms or deliver sermons on its stupendous glory?
Finding the right way is the first step for the aspirant to reach and enjoy
eternal life and thereafter lies more cumbersome task ahead; the traveler may
get stranded on the way, may squat , slip or even fall down on the way. He may
encounter difficulties, temptations and such other exigencies which may become
hurdles and obstacles which consequently may cause him abandon the journey. As
the Psalter sings that we all are pilgrims and sojourners on this planet and
our life is a journey from birth to death (from cradle to grave). In this
journey we should be firm in each step guided by the truth. If we depart from
the truth and pursue wickedness, selfishness, greed, hatred, jealousy, and
anger in our hearts, we will slip and grope as in darkness.
Prov.419 The way of the wicked is like gloomy darkness; they do not know
what causes them to stumble.
Unless we stand firm and walk
upright and steadfast, we cannot reach the goal and our mere choice of the way
doesn’t come to our aid. Even in choosing the way, we should be diligent and prudent lest it should lead to death.
Prov.1625 / Prov.1412 There is a way that seems right
to a person, but its end is the way that
leads to death.
Jesus is the truth as he declares himself in Jn. 1613 –
I AM THE TRUTH, and he also adds when the Spirit of truth comes he will guide
us into the truth.
Jn.16 13 But
when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he
will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own authority,
but will speak whatever he hears, and will tell you what is to come.
It is therefore manifest that
through guidance of the Spirit alone we can be led into whole truth. Rightly
said that Jesus is the truth and it is through him and by the truth preached by
him one can be made free, free from the bondage of – sin, economic crises,
sickness, temptations, family problems, etc.. It is also a test for us and for
our declared philosophy that we are the followers of Jesus Christ. Jesus also
declared – I AM LIFE; as food is necessary for the physical being so much so
spiritual nourishment is essential for the growth of inner being, because as
God had said that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
Duet. 83 So he humbled you by making you hungry and then feeding you
with unfamiliar manna. He did this to teach you that humankind cannot live by bread alone but also by everything that comes from the LORD’s mouth.
Mt. 44 But he answered, “It is written, man does not live
by bread
alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Lk. 44 Jesus
answered him, “It is written, man does not live by bread alone.”
Almighty God fed the Israelites
in their journey with manna that rained from the skies and this manna is the
symbolic and figurative illustration of the word proceeding out of the mouth of
God. This word had been there from the very beginning.
Jn.11-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. The Word
was with God in the beginning. All
things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that
has been created. In him was life, and the life was the light of
mankind.
Thus we realize that Jesus is the
way, and the truth and the life personified. We are all with life. We speak,
hear, and see things, smell, feel, eat, talk, move, stand and sit. Are these
the only symbols or evidence of life. They are the symbols for the material and
physical realm of human life. Besides these material symbols or elements man
has a soul that distinguishes them from others. This life is something distinct
and different from life in its ordinary exposition. That is how the church in
Sardis was described.
Rev.32 This
is the solemn pronouncement of the one who holds the seven spirits of God and
the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a reputation that you are
alive, but in reality you are dead.'
Prov.
11 19 True righteousness leads to life, but
the one who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.
Let us examine ourselves with
regard to the manner and situation of our life. If we follow Jesus in truth
through the way He set before us, then only we have the life He offers.
