Truth is something that never changes.
Truth is not just a set of facts, concepts, ideas, or opinions.
Truth is solid, strong, steadfast, and dependable.
Truth is a real person. Who is that person?
Welcome back to our series on the unique message of the Gospel of John.
John’s Gospel gives us an up-close and personal look at Jesus, the Source of Life, as He interacts personally with individuals while He lived on this earth. (Papuwer)
We now examine John to determine what is Truth.
If you want to know the Real Truth, don’t leave.
Stay with us throughout this video to learn what is truth.
To view the remainder of this series,
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel,
Sabbath School Daily by Dr. Brenda Ware Davis.
If you have not viewed the previous lesson, to get caught up, binge-watch them via SabbathSchoolDaily.com.
This journey through John will help you get to know who the Truth is and why He is the Truth.
As always, before we begin, let’s Pray.
Inviting God’s Presence.
Heavenly Father, we want to know the truth. Show us the way to the truth and the life.
In Jesus Name, Amen
The Gospel of John
(Lesson 10)
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Part 1 Introduction
Jesus came to show us God’s love, guide our lives, and give us hope.
When we know Him, we find the truth that sets us free.
Just like a close friend who tells you all about someone you haven’t met, Jesus came to tell us all about God.
In the Gospel of John, we get to see many sides of Jesus through His actions and words.
The Gospel of John is divided into four main parts.
- The Prologue, John 1:1-18: it gives the background information to set the stage for what is to follow. (Pause)
- The Book of Signs, John 1:19–John 12:50: It highlights Jesus’ public ministry.
It focused on seven key miracles, or “signs,” and His teachings that reveal Jesus’s divine identity and mission.
- The Book of Glory John 13:1–John 20:31: This is the section that focuses on Jesus’ final moments with His disciples.
- The Epilogue John 21:1–25 – This is the concluding section of the Gospel of John.
It describes Jesus’ post-resurrection appearance to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee.
We’ve already looked at the first two parts, the Prologue and the Book of Signs, which clarify who Jesus is through his miracles (or signs), his one-on-one conversations, and teachings.
Our focus now is on the third part, the Gospel of John, called “The Book of Glory.”
This part shows us even more about who Jesus is.
Interestingly, He describes Himself using special phrases that all start with “I AM.”
This is known by some Bible scholars as the seven “I AM” statements.
They form a bridge to the Book of Signs and the Book of Glory.
Let’s look at these “I AM” statements:
- Jesus said, “I AM the Bread of Life.” (John 6:35, 41, 48, 51) This indicates that He is the spiritual nourishment we need for eternal life, just as bread sustains physical life. (Pause)
- He also said, “I am the Light of the world.” (John 8:12 and John 9:5), Indicating that He brings guidance, hope, and truth to a world darkened by sin and confusion.
- Jesus said, “I am the Door”. (John 10:7, 9) showing that He is the only way to salvation and access to God’s kingdom
- He said, “I AM the Good Shepherd.” Expressing that He lovingly cares for, guides, and protects His followers, even sacrificing His life for them. (John 10:11, 14).
- He said, “I AM the Resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)
- Jesus claimed, “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Showing He has power over death and gives eternal life to those who believe in Him. (John 14:6) Pause
- Lastly, He said, “I AM the True Vine,” (John 15:1, 5), indicating that He is the source of spiritual life and strength, and we must stay connected to Him to grow and thrive.
We began with Jesus’ Farewell Sermon, which includes an episode in which Jesus washes His disciples’ feet, showing that He came not to be served but to serve others.
Finally, we look at chapter 14 to address Jesus’ I AM statement: “I am the way, the truth, and the life”.
Based on our previous study, we conclude that the Bible isn’t just an old book our parents, grandparents, or old people read; it is a guide that leads us to the Truth.
It’s full of wisdom and guidance.
It is something we should make a point of reading on a regular basis to understand more about the Truth.
Jesus, in his Farewell discourse or sermon, gives his disciples instructions concerning the future.
What were those instructions, and how do they apply to us today? Read: John 13:1–20
Then continue to Part 2: I Have Given You an Example
The Gospel of John
(Lesson 10)
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Part 2: I Have Given You an Example
Have you ever thought about what makes someone a true leader?
Besides all the amazing things Jesus did, there is a very special moment with Jesus where He shows what true leadership and true love look like.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus’ farewell sermon is found in chapters 13 to 17.
In this event, Jesus prepares His disciples for the future, knowing He won’t be with them much longer.
How John organizes it and presents it is similar in style to when Moses gave his instruction in Deuteronomy to the Israelites before he died or Jacob blessing his children in Genesis 47–49, or David’s instructing Solomon, his son in 1 Chronicles 28, 29 as Solomon was preparing to receive the throne of David.
Jesus comforts His disciples, regarding his departure, promising in John 14–16 to send the Holy Spirit to help them.
He warns them in John 15 and 16 about hard times ahead and encourages them in John 15 to stay strong and faithful (Pause)
John records in John 13:1-20 that on the evening before He was arrested, Jesus and His disciples gathered for what would be their last meal together, called the “Last Supper.”
In those days, wearing sandals shoes that didn’t cover the toes or all of the feet or even going barefoot was common.
Of course, the roads were dusty, so people’s feet would get pretty dirty.
So normally, a servant would wash the guests’ feet, but that night, there was no servant present.
To everyone’s surprise, Jesus rose from the table, wrapped a towel around His waist, and began to wash His disciples’ feet.
To show that this was a special act, John in John 13:4-5 provides the details of what Jesus did that night, saying He:
4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.
5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. (John 13:4-5)
Jesus, the Son of God, the I AM, the Messiah sent from God to redeem humanity, stoops down to perform the job of a servant.
With a heart empty of pride, He kneels to wash the feet of His own followers!
Peter was especially confused about Jesus’ behavior.
So, John, in John 13:8, let us know that Peter initially refused to let Jesus wash his feet.
8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” (John 13:8)
But Jesus responded to Peter in John 13:8, saying,
“If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (John 13:8)
Then, in John 13: 9
9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” (John 13:8-9).
Realizing the seriousness of the act Jesus was performing, Peter then asked Jesus to wash not just his feet but his hands and head too.
Jesus explained that He was setting an example.
Even though He was their Lord and Teacher, as expressed in John 13:13
13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. (John 13:13), (Papuse)
These names, for Jesus, were not designed to show us how much power and control Jesus has but to teach us that power and control must be used to serve others and not to lift ourselves above others.
Though Jesus is the Son of God, He chose to serve.
Thus, this wasn’t just a lesson in humility but a directive for how followers of Jesus should treat one another.
Jesus instructed his disciples to continue this practice; however, today, it is no longer practiced, except by a few Christian communities, such as Seventh-day Adventists.
In remembrance of Jesus’ lesson of service, members wash each other’s feet to prepare for the Lord’s Supper.
This act was more than just a lesson in humility; it was about cleansing the heart.
Jesus showed that true service could wash away not just physical dirt but spiritual pride and selfishness (The Review and Herald, June 14, 1898).
By washing their feet, Jesus prepared His disciples not just for the meal, but for a life of service and love, setting an example that we are called to follow.
Let’s embrace Jesus’ example of service as our standard.
Serving isn’t about lowering ourselves but lifting each other up.
As we go about our day, let’s look for opportunities to serve and love as Jesus did.
In John 14:1, Jesus told his disciples not to let their hearts be troubled.
Seems like they were going to have reasons to be troubled.
Why did he tell them this, and does this admonition apply to us? Read John 14:1-3.
Then, View the next segment of this video, Part 3: I Will Certainly Come Again
The Gospel of John
(Lesson 10)
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Part 3: I Will Certainly Come Again
Saying goodbye to someone who has been with you for several years is difficult.
This is the problem the disciples faced.
At the end of Jesus’ last meal with His friends, Jesus started talking about something that made them all very worried.
In John 13:33, He tells his disciples he is going away:
John 13:33
33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. (John 13:33).
This statement confused the disciples because they didn’t understand that He was talking about dying, returning to life, and going back to heaven.
So, in John 13:37, Peter, one of Jesus’s closest disciples, said he’d die for Jesus,
7 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” (John 13:37)
But Jesus knew Peter would soon face tough times to the point of even denying he knew Him.
Thus, in John 13:38
38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times. (John 13:38) (Paue)
Therefore, to calm their anxieties, Jesus says in John 14:1
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (John 14:1)
In the context that Jesus tells His disciples not to let their hearts be troubled, the verb troubled in Greek means to be stirred up, disturbed, unsettled, or thrown into confusion.
Certainly, it should not be surprising that the disciples would be confused by Jesus’ words.
This is why He told them not to let their hearts be troubled.
He understood they might feel scared or confused about what was coming.
Thus, to counter their fears, Jesus wanted to give them hope and something to look forward to.
He talks about His father’s house in heaven, saying it has many mansions, which is also translated as many rooms, like a huge hotel with a special place for everyone.
2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2).
Jesus assures them that He was going ahead to prepare these places for them.
In John 14:3 He says:
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:3)
Jesus promises that he is going to make sure everything is perfect and prepared for their arrival.
Then, He made another amazing promise in John 14:3,
“After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you with me, so that you can be where I am” (John 14:3).
This isn’t just any promise; it’s about Jesus’ return to take us to live with Him forever!
We can believe this promise!
Jesus talks about His return as if He’s already on His way—He said, “I am coming.” It’s like He’s telling us He’s already started His journey back to us. That’s how sure and certain His promise is!
Our hope in the return of Jesus is based on our confidence in the One who made the promise.
Jesus’ promises are reliable. His words are true.
Interestingly, when Jesus told his disciples he was going away, and He would come again.
Thomas asked Jesus what seems like a logical question.
How did Jesus respond to his question?
Phillip, another one of Jesus’ disciples, asked Jesus what seems like a fair question.
How did Jesus respond to his question?
Read John 14:4-11.
Then, continue to the next segment of this video, Part 4: I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
The Gospel of John
(Lesson 10)
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Part 4: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life
Thomas in John 14:5 asks:
Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5).
Of course, if you do not know where someone is going, how can you follow them?
So, apparently, Thomas thought he needed a map or some kind of direction, but Jesus gave him a surprising answer.
Jesus tells Thomas in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
What does Jesus mean here?
Jesus responds to Thomas by indicating that He Himself is the way.
But the way to what? Jesus makes the point that He is the way to the Father. (Psudr)
He’s not teaching or giving directions; He is saying that he is the path to God.
By knowing Him, we know God the Father because He shows us exactly who God is and what He is like.
This idea goes back to the very beginning of John’s gospel, the Prologue in John 1:1-18, which sets the background for the Gospel of John.
This Prologue shows the intimate connection between the Word, Jesus Christ, and the Father. It says in John 1:18
18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (John 1:18).
Essentially, it is saying the Word, Jesus, God the Son, is the One who has made known God the Father.
The word “made known” here means to explain, interpret or reveal.
So, Jesus, with His intimate connection to the Father, explains or reveals the Father to our fallen world.
He is the way or path to the Father.
Through Him, we understand who God is and how much He loves us.
Jesus goes on to say in John 17:7
7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” (John 17:7)
In response, Philip, another disciple of Jesus, struggles with this idea of knowing and seeing the Father simply because he knows and sees Jesus. (Pauueor)
Apparently, prompt by curiosity, in John 14:8, Phillip asks Jesus to show them the Father.
8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” (John 14:8)
What is Jesus’ response? John 14:9-11
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. (John 14:8-11) (Pause)
This takes us back to Exodus 33:17-34:9 when Moses asked God to show His glory, and God promised to reveal His goodness but said no one could see His face and live.
Therefore, God had him hide in the cleft of the rock and covered him with his hand, and Moses was allowed to see His back, but not His face.
Thus, the Lord passed by Moses, protecting him as He proclaimed His mercy, grace, love, goodness, and justice.
Reaching back to Moses and pointing to Jesus and showing the correlation John in John 1:17-18 expresses:
17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (John 1:17-18)
Therefore, Jesus explains to Phillip in John 14:9-10 that seeing Him was the same as seeing God the Father.
Jesus here is trying to help them, and us to understand that He is the pathway to God the Father.
Without Him, the path is filled with obstructions.
Thus, Jesus connects three important words: way, truth, and life.
The word “way” is mentioned in John 1:23, where John the Baptist talks about preparing the way for Jesus, and again in John 14:6, where Jesus says, “I am the way.”
The words “truth” and “life” are major themes in the Gospel of John.
In saying this, Jesus shows that He is the only way or path to God.
He is the one who brings truth to our lives, and He is the source of eternal life.
These words tell us that trusting in Jesus is what leads us to a real and lasting relationship with God.
Therefore, when we look at Jesus—His words, His actions, His love—we see truth.
We see God.
Jesus bridges the gap between us and God, making a way for us to come to Him.
A crucial topic, especially in a world where the very idea of “truth” is called into question, is: What is truth?
Jesus ties himself to the concept of truth.
How does He do this?
Read John 1:14, 17; John 8:32; John 14:6; and John 15:26.
Then, continue to the next segment of this video: Part 5: I AM the Truth
The Gospel of John
(Lesson 10)
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Part 5: I Am the Truth
Truth is not just simple facts or ideas but is a living person, Jesus Himself.
Over and over, John connects truth directly to Jesus, His Father, and the Holy Spirit.
For example John 1:14 tells us,
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
This scripture introduces Jesus as the Word, who came to live among us, full of grace and truth.
In other words, Jesus doesn’t just reveal the truth; He is the Truth.
John 1:17 says,
17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)
Indicating that truth is tied to the grace given to us through Jesus, contrasting the law of Moses with the grace and truth that Jesus portrays.
In John 8:32, Jesus declares, 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
He’s not just talking about knowing something; He’s talking about knowing Him.
Knowing Jesus, who is the Truth, frees us from sin and death.
Then, if we are unsure what truth really is in John 14:6, Jesus boldly states,
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)
Jesus isn’t just declaring truth; He embodies truth.
He’s the way, the truth, and the life.
Lastly, in John 15:26, Jesus talks about the Spirit of truth, saying,
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. (John 15:26)
Here, even the Holy Spirit is described as the Spirit of truth, who points us back to Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Emphasizing that only the words of God, Jesus can truly renew us and fill our hearts.
The book Christ’s Object Lessons explains that human ideas can’t satisfy the longing of our hearts.
“There are many who are crying out for the living God, longing for the divine presence. Philosophical theories or literary essays, however brilliant, cannot satisfy the heart. The assertions and inventions of men are of no value. Let the word of God speak to the people. Let those who have heard only traditions and human theories and maxims hear the voice of Him whose word can renew the soul unto everlasting life.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 40.
Jesus is the Truth. He is more than just a good man. Jesus is the “Word,” the “logos,”
John 1:1-4 says
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4).
Jesus was there before anything was made, and He is the Creator of everything. He is the “I AM.”
Everything that exists—things we can see and the things we can’t see, was made by Jesus.
Nothing exists without Him.
Colossians 1:16-17 tells us that 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Therefore, Jesus is not simply the personification of truth; He is the Truth.
Thus, truth is not a concept or a set of facts and figures.
It is a Person! Jesus is the Truth!
The Truth, Jesus Christ, can be likened to the sun that lights up the world as in John 8:12
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12). (Pause)
This thought parallels with what C. S. Lewis states about Christianity:
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”—“Is Theology Poetry?” (n. p.: Samizdat University Press, 2014), p. 15, originally presented in 1944.
Thus, when we say Jesus is the Truth, it means He is the source of everything real, and He shows us the way to live.
It is by Jesus that we can interpret the world and everything around us.
All that we know about life, love, and God is through Jesus.
“Truth in Christ and through Christ is measureless.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 128)
How can we be sure Jesus is Truth? Read John 5:38-40.
Then, continue to the next segment of this video, Part 6: The Scriptures and the Truth
The Gospel of John
(Lesson 10)
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Part 6: The Scriptures and the Truth
Throughout the Bible, from the first pages of the Old Testament to the last words of the New Testament, Scripture is super important.
It helps us understand the Truth.
The Gospels, which are the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, focus a lot on Jesus, the Truth. They use stories from the Old Testament scriptures to show us who Jesus is and what He came to do for us.
Every story, every teaching, every moment in these books points us to Jesus – the Truth.
Therefore, when we read the Bible, we should aim to know more about Jesus.
The entire Bible is connected, and each part of it helps us see the bigger picture of Jesus and His mission.
In John 5:38-40, Jesus is addressing a very important point about the Scriptures and the people’s relationship with them. He says:
38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe.
39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. (John 5:38-40)
Jesus tells the people that they do not have God’s word truly living in them, because they do not believe in Him, the one God sent.
He explains that they search the Scriptures because they think that by knowing them, they will have eternal life.
However, these very Scriptures testify about Him—Jesus.
Yet, despite all their studying and knowledge, they refuse to come to Him to obtain eternal life.
Jesus and His disciples used the scriptures to show that He was the Messiah, the Promised One.
Jesus mentions Moses, who wrote about Him long before He came into the word.
Jesus says in John 5:46-47
46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.
47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5:46-47).
His point was that if we get what Moses said, we’ll also get who Jesus is.
He was explaining that all the writings of the Old Testament actually pointed to Him.
So, if people really understood and believed in the Old Testament writings, they would easily understand and believe in Him.
Furthermore, Luke 24:27 indicates that Jesus used the Old Testament Scriptures to explain everything He was doing.
27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. (Luke 24:27)
Thus, starting from the teachings of Moses and all the prophets, He showed how the Bible was talking about Him.
This tells us how crucial the Old Testament Scriptures were in Jesus explaining His mission.
In Matthew 22:31-32, Jesus brings up a powerful point referencing the Book of Exodus, challenging the Sadducees’ disbelief in the resurrection but also reinforcing the hope and promise of the resurrection.
31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying,
32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
Then, in Luke 1:70, part of Zechariah’s prophecy that he delivered after his speech was restored following the birth of his son, John the Baptist, points to the Old Testament. (Pauser)
The full context of this prophecy is found in Luke 1:68-79, where Zechariah praises God for visiting and redeeming His people.
Specifically, Luke 1:70 referencing the Old Testament scriptures,
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, (Luke 1:70)
This verse is a reference to the numerous prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) about the coming Messiah and the redemption of Israel.
Zechariah affirms that the events unfolding in his time.
The birth of John the Baptist and, soon after, Jesus—are the fulfillment of God’s promises made through the prophets as transcribed in the Old Testament Scriptures.
In his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter, in Acts 1:16, said, “ ‘This Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David’ ” (Acts 1:16, NKJV).
The Bible is more crucial than a textbook. It provides our bases.
It is the context within which our universe has meaning.
It helps us to better see and understand the things around us.
Without it, we would be in the dark about the existence of God, His role in the universe, our own origin, the meaning of life, and the future.
It helps us understand who God is, our purpose, and what life really means.
It helps understand what the Truth is.
In it, we discover that truth is not an idea or concept but a Person. Jesus is the Truth, the Way, and the Life.
Want to know the Truth, develop an intimate relationship with Jesus.
Then You will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free!
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