"The Way the Truth
And the Life"
John 14:1-14  Bible Study

In our previous study, Jesus and the twelve disciples were sitting at the table.

This study begins in that setting. The supper is over, Judas has departed, and all the disciples are bewildered and shocked by Jesus statement that even Peter would soon deny Him.

The Messiah will be taken captive this same night. But, with supernatural calm and confidence, Jesus comforts and instructs the remaining eleven.

I Am the Way the Truth and the Life

John 14:1-14

Verse 1: "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me."

Believing in God and believing in Jesus are the same.

Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, is the way to the Father, and to Heaven. Through His sacrifice, He atoned and paid for all our sins.

It was not apparent to the disciples, but things were proceeding according to plan, and Jesus had everything under control. However, Jesus realized their anxiety and concern, and in the following Scripture began to offer His Divine comfort, peace, and assurance.

Verse 2:-3: "In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."

Jesus was not making a statement of uncertainty when He said, "If I go; "but, as surely as I go, will I return and receive My own.

Although some scholars disagree, most think the above Scripture is referring to Jesus' second coming, or the rapture.

"The Way the Truth and the Life"

"Jesus is the way:" To the Father and Heaven. Early Christianity was known as, "The Way."  It was the way to Heaven then and is 'the way to Heaven' now." (no one comes to the Father except through me)."

"Jesus is the Truth:" The truth was brought to light when Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies concerning Himself, proving He was who He claimed to be. Many manuscripts in early Christianity used the word, "Truth" when referencing God.

"Jesus is the Life:" A few years back I read where some small seeds had been excavated out of an Egyptian pyramid. When the seeds were planted they began to grow. They grew because they contained the 'Gift of Life,' placed there by the Creator.

Jesus provides the "Gift of Eternal Life."  In a previous study, He described it as, the Fountain of Life that never ends. It is His gift to us.

Verse 7: "If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."

The deity of Jesus is demonstrated throughout this Gospel; knowing Jesus, is equivalent to knowing God.

They knew Jesus, but not as well as they might and should have. They knew him as Jesus but did not know that God was in Him.

By Jesus saying, "From now on," means they had now obtained enough information to know that He was Lord.

God honors true sincerity, even when it includes doubt. Jesus had a grand mission to fulfill, but it was beyond the ability of the disciples to understand, (until later).

After Jesus' mission had been fulfilled, and the disciples empowered by the Holy Spirit, they could see and comprehend God's plan from beginning to end, and they wrote fluently about it. The "Gospel of John" is a perfect example.

Verse 8 "Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us."

Although Philip was slow to understand, his statement very likely represented the thoughts of all the disciples.

Verse 9: "Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'

There is something in natural man that is reluctant to accept Jesus as, "Almighty God, in human form."

Nevertheless, could Jesus, "the Way the Truth and the Life," have made His deity any clearer than when He said, "Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father?"

Some scholars believe Philip had hoped to see a "theophany,"  (the appearance of a god to a human, sometimes in human form).

That was not so far from what the Jews had also wanted.

Verses 10-11: Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

Jesus is, "God the Son," a member of the Trinity.  He and the Father are one.

The works/miracles of Jesus were not by the power of "Jesus, the man," but, by the power of "Jesus, the Son of God" through the power of the "Father," who continually dwells in Him.

Like Philip, we can believe in Jesus because He was a part of the Trinity, and had proven it, or because of the miracles, He performed.

Verse 12: "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." 

What a fantastic, yet challenging Scripture! After all, what miracle could we do that would be more fabulous than raising Lazarus from the dead, or of paying for the sins of the world by dying on the cross?

When Jesus returned to Heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell every Believer, through His born-again Followers, He can now be in every part of the world.

At Pentecost, three thousand souls gave their lives to Christ, under the power of the Holy Spirit.

Verse 13: " Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

In the "Old Testament" the word, "name" often meant reputation or renown. When God acted becdause of His Name, His actions were in defense of His honor. (EX 5:23)

Verse 14: "If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

Jesus used the word, "Me" in this verse which suggests that prayers might be offered directly to Jesus; and, to the Father, in Jesus' name.

Personally, I pray to the Father as directed by Jesus; but I also pray, and talk to Jesus, as directed above, (and I do that a lot).

This reminds me of a little story l sometimes tell of when I, as a young boy/man, would drive the boss's truck, and all the workers would do as I said, (actually as the boss had said).

That was because the boss's name was on the truck, so I  was delivering the messages in the boss's name and authority. Jesus had been sent by God, and that is what He was doing.

If we had time, we could go a lot deeper into this.

Here is the story about Speaking in Jesus Name

This concludes our study of, "The Way the Truth and the Life."

Our Next Study Is:

"If You Love Me Keep My Commandments"

Jesus teaches, "that love, and joy are perfected in Him" - the world will hate those who follow Him -  and promises a "Helper," (the Holy Spirit). 

Gospel of John Bible Study, Main Page

Trusting in Jesus, Home Page

The Way the Truth and the Life

"Lets Teach Our Children to Love"

Why is it so difficult for our educators and society, in general, to understand that love and respect for one another taught from a young age can solve much of the world's hostility and social problems!

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it" (Prov 22:6).

Love is the answer!

Loyalty and Faithfulness

True loyalty springs from the heart and is wrapped in love. It is often in our most private moments that true loyalty, or the lack of it, is made known.