Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”

John 14:6

In the last post on the book of John we looked at how Jesus said, “I am the way . . .” (see previous post The Way To Heaven) In this post we’ll look at the next part of Jesus’ statement. The part where he says: I am the truth . . .

The Truth Acts Upon Us

Jesus said he is the truth. He not only teaches truth, but he is the embodiment of truth. As I was praying and researching for this blog post, I was struck by something Randy Alcorn wrote:

“Truth is far more than facts. It’s not just something we act upon. It acts upon us.”

I never thought about truth exactly that way before. But thinking it through, Alcorn’s words are true. The truth of gravity makes a roller coaster ride thrilling but the truth of gravity also makes jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge terminal.

Not long ago Kathy and I were sick with strep throat. And the truth is, an antibiotic will prevent the strep bacterial cell walls from forming so the bacteria will die. Kathy and I took the prescribed antibiotic medicine and that truth healed us. Truth works the other way too though. If I’m eating donuts and drinking mass quantities of soda I’ll become a diabetic. That’s also the truth.

Jesus is the Truth and he acts upon us too. If we immerse ourselves in him, he’s medicine for the sin in our souls. His Truth breaks down the walls of the sin that infects us and the infection abates. If we immerse ourselves in him, he is the way, the way to where he and the Father dwell. But if we reject him, if we reject Jesus, if we reject the Truth we’re impacted in a different way. Disregarding the truth has consequences. I don’t write that to be harsh. That’s just the nature of truth.

My Confession

I confess that I don’t like it. I don’t like it that we have to respond to the truth in a specific given way. I don’t like it that I can’t eat donuts and drink mass quantities of soda. I don’t like it that the dimensions of the True Gate are narrow. But if I disregard these truths there are consequences. (Matthew 7:13-14)

I wonder if God doesn’t like it either. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” Peter wrote that. He’s someone who would know something about God’s patience. He who once rebuked God’s own Son. He who denied he even knew Jesus and called down curses on himself to put an exclamation point on it. (2 Peter 3:9, Matthew 16:22, Luke 22:54-62)

And then there are the words of Jesus: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37)

“. . . and you were not willing.” Those words are haunting.

I want to be willing.

Dear reader, I hope you want to be willing too. I hope and pray you’re willing to be gathered to Jesus as he desires you to be.

If you are, pray along these lines:

“Lord, there’s sin in my life. I believe Your Son Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sins. So please, remember me, remember this prayer. Let Jesus come into my life, and into my heart. Let him be my Lord and Savior.”

The words aren’t magic, what’s important is you opened your heart to invite Jesus into your life. That’s the beginning. If you prayed this prayer or if you just have questions I’d love to hear from you. Email me at kurt@kurtbennettbooks.com.

Notes:

Randy Alcorn, How Is Truth Defined?, Eternal Perspective Ministries, March 22, 2010