Brother, I have some great news for you: Jesus is the only way to the Father. Now, that might sound restrictive to some. In reality, it radically opens up human understanding beyond what’s otherwise possible, invites you into a life full of meaning, and guarantees your salvation.
“Jesus is the only way to the Father.”
What does it mean? It means that the only way to know and follow God is to know and follow Jesus. Jesus unpacks what that means further in John Chapter 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Breaking Down Salvation Through Jesus.
If you look at the verse above, there are some concepts that you might not see right away that come up throughout scripture.
1. Jesus is the WAY.
What does Jesus mean when He says that He is the way? In the Old Testament, the Word of God and His law were handed down to guide humanity. But Jesus came down to earth to give us a new, direct way to communicate and engage with God and receive His blessings. Through Jesus, we are able to speak directly to God. He also showed us the way to act like Him and get closer to God. It was so important to early Christians, many of them described themselves as following “the Way,” while others knew them as those who “proclaim to you the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17).
2. Jesus is the TRUTH.
When Jesus told His followers that He was “the truth,” He meant that He was the Word of God incarnate (“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,” John 1:14). He was the true Son of God, so everything He said was the will of the Father and everything He taught was and is true. In this way, also, Jesus is the only way to the Father. Only believers who follow the Way can know God. As 1 Corinthians 2:11 says, “who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the spirit of God.” With the holy spirit dwelling in you, you can understand God’s truth.
3. Jesus is the LIFE.
Jesus is life. When you choose to follow Jesus, you understand this in the daily life-giving effects Jesus has on you. That’s your salvation on earth—Jesus saving you from your old ways of doing things by teaching, showing you, and helping you live by His way. He also tells us, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25). Here, Jesus is talking about your heavenly salvation. Jesus is the only way to the Father and an eternal life spent with Him.
“the way, the truth, and the life,”
In each word, Jesus calls Himself “the way, the truth, and the life,” He is inviting us into a relationship with Him and the Father—because God wants to re-Father you. You might have had a great dad. You might have had a not-so-great dad. Either way, your dad was not perfect and left you with insecurities.
But when you believe that Jesus is the only way to the Father, you receive God as your Dad. And you enjoy the unconditional love that comes with it. Sure, that comes with a higher standard and a greater calling that might seem impossible. But He doesn’t expect you to be perfect or win His approval. And every day of receiving your identity as his son brings spiritual growth.
How do we know how to interact with God as a Son? By knowing that Jesus is the only way to the Father, we can follow the example He’s given us. Spend time with Him, study His word (“the truth”), and keep Him at the center of your life.
Find Your Way With Deeper Friendship.
Here’s a hint: It’s even better when you do it with friends (just as Jesus did). Download the PLAYBOOK FOR LEVEL 5 FRIENDSHIP and see how a MenHuddle can enable men to help each come to the Father through Jesus.
