"The Way Home" Pastor Doug Kamstra, John 14:4-6, February 16, 2020 PM

Covenant Christian Reformed Church

The Only Way Home (A Study of the Gospel of John; Message #58) (Jesus on Discipleship #7) John 14:4-6

A. Jesus is conversing with his disciples the night before his crucifixion

A MISUNDERSTANDING (14:4,5)

A. Thomas doesn't get it

B. Jesus tries to clarify things for Thomas: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”

1. About three years before, Thomas heard Jesus say, “Follow me”

2. When a disciple follows a rabbi, the destination is far less important

C. Jesus “way-knowing” is simply “Stick with me!”

A METAPHOR (14:6A)

A. Jesus is the master of metaphor

1. Listen carefully: “A metaphor is not literally true”

a. A metaphor both is and is not what it says

b. A metaphor is designed to stimulate our imagination; we can connect

the visible to the invisible and open up to transcendence

2. There is more to everything than what we can see or hear or touch

B. When we realize Jesus talks in metaphors, we can be more confused or

our understanding can expand exponentially

THE MESSAGE (4:6A)

A. Scripture talks about the Way throughout the Old Testament

“Walk in the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land...” (Deuteronomy 5:33)

“Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

“Teach me your way, O Lord.” (Psalm 27:11)

1. “I am the Way” suggests giving good counsel, being a personal guide,

leading us to the Father (and Home)

2. And...Jesus is life’s path and your ultimate destination

B. Scripture speaks about the Truth throughout the Old Testament

“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth.” (Psalm 86:11)

“Your love is ever before me, I walk continually in your truth.” (Psalm 26:3)

“I have chosen the way of truth...” (Psalm 119:30)

1. “I am the Truth” suggests telling the truth, being a truthful person,

and claiming to know the Truth

2. And...in a world of pluralism, Jesus is a Truth you can live your life by

C. Scripture speaks about the Life throughout the Old Testament

“The corrections of discipline are the way to life.” (Proverbs 6:23)

“He who heeds discipline shows the way to life...” (Proverbs 10:17)

“You have made known to me the path of life...” (Psalm 16:11)

1. “I am the Life” suggests he is alive, enjoying life, and winsome

2. And...Jesus reminds us, you can't have real Life without me

D. “The Way, the Truth, and the Life” is a metaphor for a single person: Jesus

THE MEANING (14:6B)

A. This is the scandal of the Gospel: there’s only one way of salvation; one

way to prepare for your home-going; one way to an untroubled heart

“Christ is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is he the best of several ways; he is the only way.” (A.W. Tozer)

B. We should be thankful there is One Way home to the Father

1. To know the Way is available as a gift of God’s love is amazing grace!

“There is no other name (way) under heaven by which we can be saved - quench our eternal thirst” (Acts 4:12)

2. Do you long for home? Come to Jesus... There is no other way