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I Am the Way
Many people today seem to think that Jesus was a groovy teacher whose ultimate mission was to teach the Golden Rule. Others say he came to show us the way to the good life—how we can all achieve our best life now. But what are we to do with Jesus’ words when he says, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”? On this program the hosts will discuss the Old Testament background to these words and will discuss the profound theological significance of this claim as well as other statements that we find in chapter 14 of John’s Gospel.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.4 And you know the way to where I am going.”5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. (John 14:1-11)
“Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.21 Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him.” (Exodus 23:20-21)
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all…11 …Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:6,11)
Show Quote:
“… If you think about conquest, Jesus is the new Joshua. What’s the first thing Joshua does when he comes into the land? They surround this place called Jericho, and the walls come crumbling down. What does Jesus say in the Olivet Discourse? He says not one stone shall be left upon another. In other words, the old system has got to fall apart. It’s going to be done away with because he is the new temple. He is the new lamb. He is the manna. He’s the water.” – Shane Rosenthal
Term to Learn:
“Theophany”
A theological term used to refer to either a visible or auditory manifestation of God. Visible manifestations include an angel appearing in human form (Judges 13); a flame in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2–6); and fire, smoke, and thunder on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:18–20). Auditory manifestations include the voice of God in the garden (Genesis 3:8), the still small voice to Elijah (1 Kings 19:12–18), and the voice from heaven at the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:17).
God takes the initiative in theophany, never revealing himself completely, and usually only in a temporary rather than permanent way. A permanent manifestation like the incarnation of Christ made theophanies less necessary and accounts for their diminished importance in the NT. (Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, s.v. “Theophany.”)
(This podcast is by White Horse Inn. Discovered by Christian Podcast Central and our community — copyright is owned by the publisher, not Christian Podcast Central, and audio is streamed directly from their servers.)