The Father Is the Destination and the Savior Provides the Path
Jesus tells Thomas, “I am the way.” The only way to get to the Father is through the Savior (John 14:5-6). He’s not a way. He’s the only way.
Though many people uphold the Christ as the primacy of the Trinity, we must remember that Jesus is the way. He is not the destination. The Father is the destination.
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
John preaches a message of repentance. He baptizes those who confess their sins. This is to prepare the way for the Lord (Matthew 3:1-12).
Though many people assume John is the one foretold by the prophets, he plainly confirms he is not. In fact, he is so insignificant in comparison that he is not even worthy to untie the Savior’s sandals (Acts 13:24-25).
John’s father pronounced this truth that John will prepare the way at John’s birth (Luke 1:76). And this is exactly what John does (John 1:23).
Jesus Is the Way
John prepares the way for Jesus. Jesus is the way. The Savior provides the way to the Father.
Our sin separates us from God, from being in the Father’s presence. But Jesus redeems us from the wrong things we have done and restores us into right relationship with his Father—with our Heavenly Father.
Not only is Jesus the way, but he is also truth and life (John 14:6). He shows us the way to the Father. He teaches us the truth about the Father. And he gives us life with the Father. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
This all comes through our Messiah, and he is the way to the Father.
The Church Shows the Way
The book of Acts refers to Jesus’s followers as the Way (Acts 9:1-2).
This doesn’t mean they replace Jesus as the way to the Father. Instead, they function more like John and show the way to the Father through Christ. He remains the only way to the Father.
As Jesus’s followers we should point the way to Jesus so that through him they can be brought into fellowship with the Father.
Jesus is the way, and the Father is the destination.
Our Role Today
The people we know may not know Jesus, but we can show them to him and he will provide the way to the Father. All they need to do is follow him.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.
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