LEARNING DAILY

John 14:6, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Pastor Ed Newton continued with the series of “I AM” statements made by Jesus. He is speaking to His disciples while in the Upper Room about His death. He told them, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.” (John 14:1). Pastor said, “The word “troubled” in the original language means ‘stirred, shaken’. Jesus told them He was leaving them to prepare a place for them in God’s kingdom; that left them shaken.”  He continued, “No one is exempt as trouble comes to every single person – both Believer and unbeliever. When trouble comes, one needs to hold on to Jesus. Don’t let what you see talk you out of what Jesus has said!”

Jesus told them He was going to prepare a place for them. By doing that, He promised he would come back for them (and all who Believe). Their future was secure (Listener Guide); the place of the Believer is secure because of the promise made to return for those who believed in Him. Pastor used the illustration of calling ahead to secure a room when traveling. The Believer’s “room” (the Believer’s place of abiding) in God’s kingdom is reserved at the moment of salvation; it is a personal reservation as Jesus knows your name and it is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The promise is His return. Pastor said the “I go” refers to His death on a cross. The “I will” is the promise to return. And the “where I am” is eternal life in heaven in His kingdom”. He said, “There is no heaven without Jesus.” Read John 14:3 to find these statements.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” The four points on the Listener Guide for this message were: “You are not alone. Your future is secure. You are not forgotten. You are not lost.” The notes with this verse answer some questions. How can I be saved? “His Way is comforting – Jesus is saying He is the only way! There have been so many who have said they are the way. How can I be sure Jesus is the way? Because His Truth is certain – He is 100% the truth! There are no lies in Him (John 18:35). He is the only person who has ever lived that was perfect, the only One who gives life in abundance. His Life is contentment – the life He gives is eternal!

The Word is very clear, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Pastor stated, “Jesus came from heaven.” He knows the way to get there.” The best way to get there, “is to go to heaven with the One who knows the way there!” (Pastor Newton). He followed this with this illustration. “If I am wrong and get to the end of my life after walking with Jesus, I lose nothing! But, if one gets to the end of their life and has not walked with Jesus, what does he/she lose? The answer is everything! His truth must be my truth, the way I live my life”.

Walking with “Jesus on the narrow way into His eternal kingdom is not wishful thinking! If you have walked with Him for long, you know the shaking that comes with the walk. I was encouraged by Pastor’s words, “Keep on believing! Don’t hold on to your feelings; hold on to Jesus!”  Let Him be your peace, your promise, and your prize! (Takeaway statement on the Listener Guide).