The spirits of untold millions upon millions have been uplifted by the words of Jesus to his troubled disciples after he told them of him death. He said: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know” (John 14:1-4). Upon hearing this, Thomas had a natural question: “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” (verse 5) If you do not know where a person is going, it is only natural that you do not know the way!
It is here that Jesus uttered the words under which we write: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (verse 6). The clear and unmissable truth taught here by Jesus is that, as he said, “I am the way … no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” This is not to say the other words are unimportant, for indeed they are, but we are going to make a point that is generally over looked using the words, “I am the way.”
Jesus being “the way,” and he used the definite article, as he did with all three words, “the way, the truth, and the life;” thus, making the point there are not ways, but “the way,” as in one way! Jesus is one, not two or three, so there is one way, not two or three. We would be amiss just here, if we did not also make the point there is but one truth, not two or three, as there is but one life, not two or three! However, the subject of this article are the words of Jesus, “I am the way,” and the implication of these words.
Jesus being “the way” unto the Father; thus, eternal salvation; does it not occur to anyone that it is most important to be in him? As the reader thinks about this question, how about these subjects: 1) the blood, as in the song, “Nothing but the blood; 2) the cross, as in the song, “The old rugged cross; 3) the death, as in the song, At Calvary; and 4) the resurrection, as in the song, He is Risen. Where do we find all these points? Take a look at the words of Paul to the church at Rome: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4). Did you notice the words” 1) “baptized into Jesus Christ;” 2)” baptized into his death;” 3) “baptism into death;” and 4) “that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life?” Did you get it? Jesus said, “I am the way,” the way leads us: 1) “into Jesus; 2) “into his death;” and 3) “in newness of life!” And each one is by baptism! Yet, many teach that baptism is not necessary! Thus, by implication they are teaching that: 1) Jesus, 2) his death, and 3) his resurrection; are not important!
Yet, Paul did not stop here, but wrote: “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6:17-18). Now get this! The word “form,” “that form of doctrine” (teaching, frw) is the Greek “tupos” and means: “the mark of a stroke or blow, print.” Where is there a print, of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, but in baptism? Read once more the words of Paul: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” There is that “form of doctrine” which had been delivered unto those who were the church in Rome as Paul wrote.
Now, we must not forget the final words Jesus said to Thomas in our text: “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Is there anyone, who claims to be a Christian, who believes that they can come “unto the Father” without the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus? Is there one who believes that he/she can come “unto the Father” without baptism? If so, you have a contradiction! When Jesus said, “I am the way,” he fully understood it lead through this death, burial, and resurrection; and it is baptism that is the “form of doctrine” where we come into his death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Yes, Jesus is the way!
— Frank R. Williams