Quinquagesima Week – Thursday

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” – John 14:6.

What terror must have seized upon the disciples, the poor sheep, that night in which their Lord was betrayed.

For that reason, He lingered long with them at the table after the paschal supper, seeking to comfort them, to strengthen and steel them for the approaching hours, as well as for every evil hour in the days to come. “Let not your heart be troubled,” He said kindly. “Ye believe in God; believe also in Me” (John 14:1). He directed them to the goal which they were bent on reaching, by saying: “In My Father’s house are many mansions” (v. 2a). There they are to remain forever.

If, however, a doubt should harass their poor souls, He wished to tell them that He was now going to prepare a place for them. And though He is doing this, He assures them that, nevertheless, He will come again and receive them unto Himself, that where He is, they may also be (vv. 2b-3). “And,” He continued, “whither I go ye know, and the Way ye know” (v. 4).  The way to the Father, He would say, is familiar to you.

Thereupon Thomas said, disappointed and sad: “Lord, we know not whither Thou goest, and how can we know the Way?” (v. 5). Jesus answered him: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (v. 6). Jesus, the Savior, the Sin-Atoner, the Propitiator, the Redeemer, the dear, kind, merciful Lord, whom we know so well from His Word, and who possesses our hearts; He, yes, He is the Way to the mansions of His Father. Through Him, we are saved. If He is ours by faith, we are on the Way that surely leads to heaven. He also is the Truth, the only Truth, fixed in God’s eternal counsel; if we trust in Him, we cannot fail. And He is the Life, Eternal Life, for us sinners; if we have Him, we have Life. But without Him, no man cometh unto the Father. He is the only Way, the only Truth, the only Life. Without Him, there is no salvation (v. 6).

Dear Christian, do not these words comfort, strengthen, and steel you against sin, and affliction, and death, and judgment, in life and in death?

PRAYER – O Lord Jesus, since Thou art the Way, the Truth, and the Life, I, a poor sinner, am of good cheer. I know Thee, and Thou art mine, beloved Savior! Keep me, O faithful Lord, lest I stray from Thee and err from the only Way to salvation, forgetting the only saving Truth, and losing Eternal Salvation. Let my eyes, in faith, be ever fixed on Thee, and I shall assuredly obtain salvation. Amen.

Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life; grant us that Way to know;

that Truth to keep, that Life to win, whose joys eternal flow.

Hymn 355, st. 4; TLH)