This is the Way
What does it mean that Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life"? How are we to respond to the declaration of Jesus making a way for us to be with God?
If you’re a big Star Wars fan, I’m sure you read the title of this article, “This is the Way,” with a particular voice. The Mandalorian culture from the Star Wars canon universe has unique standards to guide their everyday actions, words, and pursuits.
They have some rules that may seem silly to us, like never removing their helmet or showing their face, even to their own family. Their “way” may also mean providing for their foundlings no matter what it takes, or embracing their fate, no matter what sacrifice may be required.
What’s striking to me about their mantra is that it signifies a group of people set apart from the rest of the culture. They do things differently. They have a code of ethics, honor, and conduct. To act outside of that code is to risk banishment because of how high they value their holy ways. It’s meant to respect something bigger than themselves and each other in their community.
Christians used to have a high standard like that—maybe not to the level of banishment if rejected or disobeyed, but certainly a code of ethics and expectations. The early church followed a specific “way” because the way, truth, and life showed up on earth to draw all people to God and called us to "follow.”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 (NIV)
The Word: Way
G3598 | hodos
This word is used throughout Scripture literally to define a road, a mode, or a means. We see that the way Jesus uses it in John 14, as well as how it’s used in a few other places in the Bible, is more metaphorical.
a way of access
spoken of Jesus as the access to God and eternal life
a course of conduct — a way of thinking, feeling, deciding, and acting 1
Fascinatingly, this was sometimes used to reference “the way of a monarch that is prepared and straightened beforehand to fill in holes and smooth over rough places.”2
When considering that last idea, how people would prepare the way for the monarch, consider John himself. Isaiah 40:3 prophesies about this very occurrence happening for the way of Jesus, and John boldly proclaimed to be that “voice of one calling”.
A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.”
John fulfilled the prophecy and made a way for Jesus, the greatest King, to debut and begin His ministry on earth.
The whole of John chapter 14 explains what Jesus meant by declaring to be “the way, the truth, and the life.” He talked explicitly about going to the Father’s House (which we interpret as Heaven or at least a place not of this world) and preparing rooms for His disciples.
His disciples were confused, especially when Jesus said, “You will know the way to where I am going” (paraphrased). Jesus clarified that they do know the way to God because they know Him.
Belief in and knowledge of Jesus grants you access to the Father and eternity in glory. This is the way: Jesus.
John made a way to earthly ministry for Jesus, and Jesus made a way to Heaven and God for all humanity.
Those who choose to listen and believe in Jesus as the son of God are welcomed into the presence of God spiritually through this earthly life and eternally in Heaven.
The Way: “Christianity”
In the early church days (recorded mostly in the Book of Acts), we see that the group of people who believed in the resurrection of Jesus was called “the Way”. Sometime after, the group began being referred to as Christians, but the reason I wanted to do some more study into this word “way” is because of how it’s used in Scripture—what it means that Jesus is “the way” and why believers were originally called “the Way”.
Jesus declared himself as the only way to God, and this metonymy also represents the idea that we are called to a specific way of life—following Jesus on the path He laid out for us with humility, respect, compassion, and righteousness. Jesus’ whole life and ministry modeled “the way” we should carry out His vision for holiness and a healthy, thriving politic for humanity.
Jesus said “follow me” 11-12 times when gathering his disciples (the discrepancy is in Luke 14:27, he says “come after me” and that’s the same idea). He mentioned leaving worldly things that you rely on in order to follow him (Matthew 19:21). He talked about carrying your cross in order to follow him (Mark 8:34). He reminded the disciples that one must know Him and His voice in order to follow him the way a sheep does with the shepherd (John 10:27).
Jesus carved a path for us in two distinct ways:
He showed us that “truly, truly,” Jesus is the “way, and the truth, and the life”— we now have access to God individually for eternity, connection with God now in relationship and access to God forever in the new heaven and new earth.
He modeled the conduct we ought to live by—compassion, mercy, truth, and light to empower us as we cultivate the way for others to know Jesus and follow the way to God.
John made a way for Jesus, and Jesus made a way for humanity. In respect, we are called to make a way for others to know God and follow the Way.
But I confess this to you, that in accordance with the Way, which they call a sect, I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. In view of this I also do my best to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before other people, always.
Acts 24:14-16 (NASB)
Paul explained that the Way was a group of believers who hopefully anticipated the eternal resurrection of all people—some to Heaven and some to Hell. In light of that eternal belief (that Jesus was in fact who He said He was and gives access to God for all believers), we—the people of the Way of Jesus—need to walk in a way that honors God to point others toward the way. As Paul said himself, “I also do my best to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before other people, always.”
I fear Christianity as a whole has gravely lost its way and is continuing on a downward trajectory fast. It’s past time we get back to the basics of the Way who looked a whole lot like Jesus while caring for each other, preaching the good news, worshipping our good God, and honoring each other societally as Jesus did when He was here.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)
This is a call to arms (like, your physical, bodily, arms)—to reach out your arms to those who look different, think different, talk different, dress different, and vote different.
On one hand, if they are believers, then that is the only thing you need in common to unite in Christ. On the other hand, all people are made in the image of God and deserve the respect that Jesus modeled to those who did not yet believe in God.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (NASB)
John made a way for Jesus to be with His people on earth by preparing the hearts of those in the community and baptizing them.
Jesus made a way for those who listen and believe in Him to know God and be with God forever, instead of dying the death we deserved.
It’s our turn, in our time on earth, to meet people where they’re at in their journey of life, and make a way for them to come to know, love, and relish in the light of Jesus so that they can in turn follow the Way.
In case you’ve missed some of my other word studies this Summer so far, be sure to check them out! And remember, you can also listen to these on the new podcast when your days are busy.
As always, Blue Letter Bible is a great resource for studying original language and word meanings!
Hebrew Greek Keyword Study Bible | G3598
Thank you for your scripture rich column. In a world that is increasingly becoming Jesus minus this or that and also Jesus+this or that, you're keeping it to scripture. Thanks again.