Key verse: John 14:1-7

Jesus knew the time arrived for Him to face the cross. In this solemn hour He tried to comfort His disciples. He told them not to be afraid and that if they believe and trust in God, they could also believe and trust in Him. Jesus told them in His Father’s house there are many mansions. He will go and prepare a place for them and when He is finished He will return for them so that where He is they will be there also. Through these words Jesus revealed to the disciples His death, resurrection and ascension to heaven in advance. However, the disciples at that time did not understand what Jesus meant.

So Thomas asked Jesus 2 questions:

1. Where are you going?

Jesus said He would go and prepare a place for them (the disciples). The disciples only understood what Jesus was saying after His death, resurrection and ascension. Jesus answered Thomas’ question in verse 12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”

2. How can we know the way?

Jesus answered Thomas’ question in verse 6 “”. In Greek this verse reads “I am the only way, the only truth and the only life. No man comes to the Father except through me.” The disciples only understood what Jesus was saying after His death, resurrection and ascension. In the book of Acts the disciples started to preach this message, that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Jesus’ disciples were not called Christians. They were called “the people of the Way.” Jesus is the Way.

The world says there are many ways to God, but after Jesus’ victory over death He became the only way to the Father and the only name by which man might be saved.

 

There is another aspect to the answers Jesus provided to Thomas.

Jesus used the pattern of the Tabernacle in the wilderness to teach how the disciples could approach and have fellowship with God through Jesus.

There are three sections: Outer Courtyard, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place.

The first section:

Bronze Laver is where the priests would wash themselves before entering the Holy Place. There is only one gate to the outer court. It is called “The Way.” Jesus is “The Way.” Jesus is the only sacrifice = “The Altar of Burnt Offerings”

In the Old Testament the Day of Atonement used the blood of an animal and only covers the sin for a year. The blood of Jesus has the power to wash all our sins away. We can only approach God through the blood (Hebrews 9:22).

By Jesus saying “I am the Way”, His is in fact saying that He is the only way to the father, the only sacrifice acceptable to God and only the name of Jesus can save us.

The second section:

The entrance to the Holy Place is called “The Truth.” As New Testament believers we have the authority to enter in to the Holy Place. This is the time where we have devotions as this is where we receive the revelation of the truth.

The Holy Place has 3 pieces of furniture that all point to Jesus as the only truth: the Table of Showbread, Altar of Incense, and Golden Lampstand. The Table of Showbread (12 loaves) = Jesus the Bread of Life that came down from heaven. It is our spiritual food, the Word of God. We need to consume this daily. The Lampstand = Jesus is the Light of the World. Altar of Incense speaks of intercession. Jesus intercedes for us, but we also intercede for other people.

Jesus is the Truth. When we enter into the Holy Place, the Truth, we receive the spirit of revelation who leads and guides us into all truth.

The third section:

The entrance to the Most Holy Place is called “The Life.” This door of life leads to the presence of God. Therefore in John 14:6 Jesus is saying, I am the way into the outer court, I am the truth into the Holy Place and I am the Life into the Most Holy Place. The Most Holy Place is where the presence of God lies. In the presence of God there is only life not death, there is no decay

There is only one piece of furniture, the Ark of the Covenant with the mercy seat at the top and two angels with wings stretched facing each other looking down at the blood that the Old Testament high priest would sprinkle on the Ark of the Covenant. This blood represents the fact that no one can come before God without the blood. There’s no lampstand in the Most Holy Place because the glory of the Lord illuminates the place (Leviticus 16:2).

When we come before God in His presence by the blood of Jesus there’s life. We can enter in and have fellowship with God.

 

There is no other way to get to the Father except through Jesus. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Have this truth in you and let it down sink into your heart then we will really appreciate our time with God.

 

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If you would like to accept Jesus into your heart please pray the following prayer.
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour.”

If you have just prayed this prayer and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, congratulations! We invite you to contact us as we would love to pray a blessing over your life and help guide you on your journey.

The next step. As a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment.

• Get baptised as commanded by Christ.
• Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
• Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
• Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
• Find a local church where you can worship God.

God bless you.