THE TRUTH IS JESUS

Roger McInnis

Central Truth

Jesus is the truth.

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)

I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life

1 Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;^{1

14:1
Or You 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?^{2

14:2
Or In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you; for 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.”^{3

14:4
Some manuscripts Where I am going you know, and the way you know} 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.^{4

14:7
Or If you know me, you will know my Father also, or If you have known me, you will know 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.

12 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me^{5

14:14
Some manuscripts omit me} anything in my name, I will do it.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,^{6

14:16
Or Advocate, or Counselor; also 14:26; 15:26; 16:7} to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be^{7

14:17
Some manuscripts and is} in you.

Footnotes

[1] 14:1 Or You believe in God
[2] 14:2 Or In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you
[3] 14:4 Some manuscripts Where I am going you know, and the way you know
[4] 14:7 Or If you know me, you will know my Father also, or If you have known me, you will know my Father also
[5] 14:14 Some manuscripts omit me
[6] 14:16 Or Advocate, or Counselor; also 14:26; 15:26; 16:7
[7] 14:17 Some manuscripts and is

I struggled mightily with this devotional. I am so far from figuring this thing out.

What I am trying to get my arms around is this: the truth is Jesus. I have long operated under the belief that knowing truth was through biblical knowledge. But it’s so much more. It’s embodied in Jesus Christ, the eternal Word who became flesh. I am desperately trying to teach my kids the truth and not just to cram them with knowledge because I know from my life that more knowledge does not translate into more love. I want them to believe in Jesus: the truth, not just the facts.

I see people pulling at their hearts trying to figure out the world's definition of love. This definition has created a yearning for things in the world that people think will give them affection, attention, and security. This makes me feel desperate. Desperate for people to see that Jesus Himself is all these things. He is the truth. He will give them affection, attention, and security. He's more than can be put into words. He is the only one who can bring them joy and peace. I want them to yearn for Jesus. I want my kids to turn only to Him, even as they see me struggling to do the same. Our hope is in Him.

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

1. As you navigate life, is your hope in your biblical knowledge or Jesus?

2. What's the difference between biblical knowledge and the truth?

3. Where do you place hope instead of in Jesus?

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Jesus tells his disciples a BIG truth in verse 6. What it is?

2. Many people think there are different ways to get to heaven. What are some of these?

3. Why do you think people look for other ways to get there?

4. Have you trusted solely in Jesus’ death on the cross for your sins as the way you will get to heaven?