Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)

One verse, three metaphors; John with simple words conveys profound truths. With a soaring prologue (John 1:1-18) to begin this biography of Christ, one should expect nothing less from this simple fisherman turned philosopher-theologian. Though John would blanch at such accolades, his use of imagery throughout the book to convey ideas of faith, life and love are the hallmarks not only of good story telling, but of vividly portraying the truth about who Christ is. If God can use an uneducated peasant of little training as the pen of divine writing, could He not use you and me? Is it any wonder many evangelists recommend this book as the place to begin for seeking sinners?

John alone of all the gospel writers captures Jesus’ words here, and conveys them in three “I am” words. These work together to bring us to the climactic truth: The path to God is absolutely unique, exclusive and intolerant. “No one” can go to God in any other way. This begs of no exceptions. Each of the words is qualified by the word “the.” The Bible is very clear at this juncture. Jesus is “the” way, “the” truth and “the” life. He is not “a” way, “a” truth or “a” life. He is not one particular path to God, should you want to choose it. He is “the” path to God. One cannot be more absolute than this. Jesus is the complete package for access to God!

He is also the exclusive path to God. All other paths are not “the” way, “the” truth” and “the” life.” Nothing qualifies for either of the three, let alone all three. There are not many ways to God that are true and life-giving. There is no other path that has even just two of these. For example, what good would it be to have a way to God that is true, but does not involve life eternal? Paul assesses the situation: “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Cor 15:19). Or what good is it to have the truth if it does not give access to God? Adam and Eve gained the truth, their eyes were opened to know good and evil, but it drove them out of the presence of God.

This verse is intolerant of other attempted paths to God. Christians are accused of being narrow-minded, saying there is only way to God. But this is the teaching of the One whom we follow. If an accusation of intolerance is to be made, it must go against the greatest moral and spiritual teacher ever. We do Him a disservice by watering down His statement in any way.

“Lord, I will not be embarrassed about what You said, for I believe it to be true – You are the absolute, exclusive and intolerant way to the Father.