Today David explored the sixth ‘I AM’ statement in the ‘Born Identity’ series, from John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth and the life.”
John 14 begins with these words:
"DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED. TRUST IN GOD; TRUST ALSO IN ME."
David began by noting that even the Christian, whose heart has been renewed, is not immune to having a troubled heart. Jesus spoke these words in response to the disciples’ troubled and anxious hearts after hearing that Peter, the disciple who seemed so bold and courageous, would deny Jesus three times and after hearing that Jesus was going to depart from them (John 13:31-38). I think we can all relate to the disciples in having that feeling of an anxious and troubled heart. Whether it is the uncertainty of the times we are in, fear of the future or the stress of the present, it is easy to let our hearts become overwhelmed. However helpless we may feel in those situations, Jesus provides the antidote to our troubled hearts: “Trust in God; trust also in me.” Jesus calls us to redirect our focus from trouble towards Him – from fear to faith. Trusting God is not a last resort to our troubled hearts, but it is the antidote. Trusting Jesus targets our heart’s trouble.
It sounds simple, but how do we actually trust God? David encouraged us to get immersed in God’s living word. He also pointed to the immense hope we have in Jesus: despite the intensity of our troubled hearts, it is momentary trouble and one day we will be with Jesus forever in heaven. Jesus speaks of this reality, saying:
"IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE ARE MANY ROOMS; IF IT WERE NOT SO, I WOULD NOT HAVE TOLD YOU. I AM GOING THERE TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU. AND IF I GO AND PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU, I WILL COME BACK AND TAKE YOU TO BE WITH ME THAT YOU ALSO MAY BE WHERE I AM."
What an amazing promise! Jesus will one day come back and take with Him everyone who trusts in Him. Until then, we have the promise of the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us through life. Although it’s easy to focus on the physical and imagine what these rooms will look like, David said it is more important to focus on the ‘who’ rather than the ‘what’. We will be with Jesus for all eternity. Let’s let these promises sink deep into our hearts this week, and by trusting Jesus may our hearts turn from troubled to trusting.
Next, David drew our attention to Jesus’ bold and powerful declaration:
"I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME."
- “I am”- We can be encouraged by the fact Jesus says, “I am”, not “I was” or “I will be”. Jesus is and will always be the only way, truth and life.
- Jesus is the way (the mode). Through His life, death and resurrection we can come to God.
- Jesus is the truth (the reality). Jesus reveals what is real about this world. In a world where there is seemingly less objective truth, Jesus is the only real truth that will stand the test of time.
- Jesus is the life (the source). He is the source of true life with God.
David finished by commenting on Jesus’ statement, “No one comes to the Father except through me”, as controversial to our modern-day society, yet good news. He noted that “except” is really a word that indicates access, rather than exclusivity. There is no way to God EXCEPT through Jesus – Jesus has made a way. Therefore, let’s not be shy or apologetic of Jesus as the only way, truth and life, but let’s proclaim it as it is: good news to a world of troubled hearts.
- How has your heart been this week? Take some time to bring your heart to God and meditate on the hope of an eternity with Him.
- What aspect of Jesus’ statement (I am the way, the truth and the life) do you need to have more faith in?
- How can you proclaim Jesus as the only way, truth and life through your thoughts, words and actions this week?
