John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus said this in response to Thomas' question: "Lord, we do not know where you are going next, how can we know the way"? (John 14:5 (Chris Calvin's version).
Have you ever wanted to know "The WAY"? You feel lost, and there is no GPS in life? You took an exit somewhere off the interstate, and now you cannot find the highway, you needed gas and some munchies. You saw a sign that said "Gas and Groceries exit here, turn right, 4 miles" The next thing you know your in some tiny town in the middle of no where. You found the "Gas and Groceries", and thought the highway was just down the road 4 miles or so, like the sign said, but it's been about 10 miles and no highway.
Aren't GPS units amazing? I mean in the above situation all you would have to do is ask, "Where is Interstate 10"? And the GPS in a lovely voice, would tell you "Turn left in 100 feet, then proceed 21.9 miles to the Interstate."( "Wow" you ask, "How did I get that far from the Highway?") See? Problem solved.
Have you ever seen that commercial where someone is walking along a green path in the middle of the sidewalk? They have joined a Financial adviser type company and all they have to do to "keep on the correct path to financial freedom", is to follow the green line with the arrow at the end. Wouldn't life be easy if we had a green, or red, or whatever color is your favorite, to follow? You know, like at the hospital: "Emergency? Just follow the red line, Patient Check in? follow the green line, "Surgery waiting room? follow the yellow one" Can you imagine if EVERYONE of us had a line, talk about a mess. If we had a Life GPS then we could ask where we are? Feeling lost today? Just ask: "GPS, where am I, how do I get back home?" "Pray to God, and then proceed 6 blocks due west, turn right and attend that church at 8 am this Sunday".
These things would be great wouldn't they? Only problem is, they don't exist. How do we find our way through life?
Thomas was wondering that very question. He asked Jesus how do we know the way (where are we going NOW? That is what I think he was really saying) He saw a bunch of guys just following Jesus wherever He went, and he did not understand why. To Thomas, if felt like they were just wondering around aimlessly.
Ever felt like Thomas? Sure, we all have. Jesus tells us, in response to Thomas' question that "HE" is the "Way, the Truth and the Life". But that is more then Thomas asked, he only wanted to know, the way.(Maybe he was tired and hungry, how far Lord, till we can stop. "Are WE THERE Yet?" Like the kids we all really are.) What was Jesus saying? Well, He was telling the disciples that by following Him, they were going the WAY the were supposed to go, BUT then He added, that they were in the "Truth" (freedom) and that they had "Life" (Eternal). Do you think Thomas thought to himself: " I was just wondering, Jesus, where we were going"? Yes, he may have, but Jesus knew the REAL question being asked here.
I admire Thomas, he was a man that asked what everyone was thinking. He did not back down from asking. He saw Jesus after the Resurrection, but wanted Physical proof that it was really Him. Jesus scolded him a little for that, but showed him the nail scars in His hands. Who of us would not be thinking the same thing, but would be afraid to ask. Not Thomas, he wanted to know.
The next time you walk out of your front door, I can guarantee you there will not be a green line with a arrow showing you were to go. I can equally guarantee you if you talk to an invisible GPS and ask it for directions to "Starbucks" no one will answer, (And if you do it to much, you'll end up in a rubber room with a nice white jacket with your hands bound behind you!)
BUT, I CAN Guarentee you that if you talk to God, read His word, and obey His commandents He WILL show you what path to follow.
Since, HE "Is the Way" then all we have to do is follow Him. Since He is the "Truth" then all we have to do is believe HIM. Since He is the "Life" then to live all we have to do is live in Him.
Yes, GPS's are great, especially for men, we don't have to stop and ask directions anymore. The commerical about the green line leading us down life's path I guess worked, because I remembered it. BUT to really find THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE, there is only Jesus.