"the Tripod" (Part 3)

Jesus said, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going." Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, how do we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:1-6 NASB).

Today we come to the second leg of “the tripod” of the Christian life: You must have a relationship with Jesus Christ that makes a difference in your life. Yesterday I wrote that the first fundamental in the Christian life is understanding the fatherhood of God. I suppose that could be seen as a little out of order in the process of our new birth, however when you begin to understand that it is not steps in a process but aspects of the God of our salvation, it makes better sense. It is not that we come to know Jesus first, and then we know the Father. It is that we come to know God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Our reading is at a very important juncture in the lives of the disciples. Jesus has begun to help them understand how he will die. They are dismayed, angry, and perplexed. Jesus’ promise to come again and take them to where He will be is a wonderful reminder of what awaits all believers. However, Thomas simply didn’t get it. He asks, “How do we know the way?” It is then that Jesus makes that well remembered declaration that He is the way. In fact, he says he is “the way, the truth and the life.”

If you are to enjoy real abundance in your life, Jesus is essential. He is the way. There is no other path to eternal life. There is no other means to salvation. You can’t work your way into heaven, nor can you come through another system of theology. It is Jesus and Jesus alone! He is also the truth. That means he can be trusted in every situation. You will never need to validate the declaration and revelation of Jesus. He is THE truth! And, he is the life. That’s the one that makes the most difference to me. When I am tempted to think that my positions or possessions are my life, I am reminded they pale badly in comparison to Jesus.

I had lunch recently with my pastor and he mentioned that he had remarked to another minister how he felt it was a good testimony that I was willing to work at Home Depot to supplement our income right now as we build support for Grace Restoration Ministries into a stronger position. Some might see that work as “beneath” a person with multiple degrees and years of experience in vocational ministry, however, it has been a great gift of God to us. It is not a gift because of the money or prominence of position (there is little of either of those). It is a gift of God because it is what he has determined for me at this time in my life. That’s the truth I trust in. The job I hold may be forever, or it may be over tomorrow. I must not trust in those transient things. I must trust in the One who is eternal. He is the way, the truth, and the life! And, that’s the last word about Jesus! He IS the life! He becomes our life by grace. It is a gift of God. Have you received that gift today? You can. He offers it right now! That will make a difference in your life!