“The doubting Thomas” was instrumental in the revelation of Jesus’ statement that he is the way, the truth, and the life.
I AM THE WAY
In answer to the enquiry of Thomas, Jesus clarified he was the one and only way to the Father. During the Old Testament times, Joshua (Jesus in Greek) led the chosen people to the promised land through River Jordan. Jesus is the new Joshua who leads us to the new promised land of the lost paradise through his baptism that stands for the Jordan river. The cross of Jesus is the bridge that Jesus established to connect the earth with the heaven. Jesus exhorted us, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Mt 16:24).
I AM THE TRUTH
The ultimate truth is God. Jesus is the truth because he is God. Humans have limitations to understand the truths of God and his creation. Scientists and philosophers share their findings, assumptions, and views. Our lack of understanding and limitations of knowledge cause many misunderstanding and conflicts in the world. Jesus taught us the truth of God that we comprehend with our limited capacity. Love of God and love of humanity in action are the core teachings of Jesus for successful transition from this world to the eternal truth in heaven.
Jesus said of his Father: “He who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him” (Jn 8:26). So, what Jesus taught is the truth. Jesus affirmed of himself, saying: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). Thus, Jesus and his Father are true and convey the truth to us.
Unlike the synoptic gospels, John associated truth with Jesus. Jesus is “full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14). “Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (Jn 1:17). John the Baptist “testified to the truth” (Jn 5:33). Jesus told the Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32).
When Pilate asked Jesus about his kingship, Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice” (Jn 18:37).
The Jews attempted to kill Jesus because he told them the truth that he heard from the Father (Jn 8:40), truth that they found unpalatable. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6). He then referred to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth (Jn 14:17) because the Spirit also reveals the truth of heaven.
Satan is the opposite of truth because he is a liar. According to Jesus, “He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the father of lies” (Jn 8:44). He misled Eve into disobeying God by misinterpreting the true command God gave to Adam. The first parents fell into Satan’s lie. So, Biblically speaking, truth is divine, and lie is devilish.
I AM THE LIFE
God is the author of the universe and all living beings. God, who created everything with his Word, let the Word become flesh and thus Jesus came as God and man. So, Jesus is life eternal who gives us everlasting life by rescuing us from the death that came because of the fall of first parents. Through his resurrection, Jesus assured our resurrection from death.
REFLECTION
We are blessed to know that Jesus is the way to the Father. He revealed the truth, and we can gain eternal life through him. Those who do not know Jesus or give up faith in him are in spiritual darkness and end up in eternal destruction.