Experiencing Jesus e~Devotional | 5/27
PASSAGE: John 14 [6] Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
INSIGHT: In this passage in John 14, when Jesus said that he is the truth. What did he mean? He is the sole revelation of the one and only God that you can’t see with your human eyes (John 1:18). What did he mean when he said he is the life?
In Matthew 7:13-14, many scholars believe that this is a reference to heaven and hell. Heaven and hell are real places that do exist but other Bible scholars think this passage here in Matthew refers to life in the here and now.
Matthew 7 [13] Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. [14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
In the context of this passage, Jesus was in the midst of trying to get the religious leaders to see that their form of spirituality was all about religious formulas that were keeping people from experiencing the freedom and release that God has for them. In effect, their teachings were leading people to destruction or a life of ruin. On the other hand, the narrow gate or way of Jesus leads to life — not external requirements to keep and uphold — but an internal transformation.
Think about it. When we do life in our strength and power, we fall into all kinds of things that control us and choke us — worry, doubt, depression, anxiety, boredom, isolation – you name it. These can lead to destructive strongholds that keep us from experiencing life the way God intended. When we choose to follow Jesus and ask him to lead us and guide us each day, worry leaves, doubts subside, depression lessens since we experience God’s love, anxiety turns to trust and boredom is replaced with enjoying life like never before! In John 11:25, Jesus says “I am the resurrection and the life.” He is the way to avoid destruction in this life and in the next life too.
PRAYER FOCUS: Spend some time thanking God for sending His Son to be the way, the truth and the life for each us each day.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TODAY: If you’re struggling with an unhealthy stronghold, the starting place for healing is to renew your mind with truth. The biggest battle that we face in life is right between our ears. The negative self-talk that happens in our minds can be a constant battle. Today, think of a favorite Psalm that brings encouragement to you (e.g., Psalm 139 or Psalm 119). Spend some time reading it today and ask God to renew your mind with his thoughts and ways.
Psalm 139 [23] Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
