In the Presence of the Father Through Jesus Christ

John 14:1-14

Thursday, 30 July 2026

Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' - John 14: 6

Nearing the end of Christ Jesus’ earthly ministry he (Jesus) started preparing his disciples for his departure from this world. The disciples were troubled in their spirit and were unable to fully understand what he was telling them. Jesus comforts them saying I am going to prepare a place for you in my Father’s house and I will return and take you to be with me. Then he adds “you know the way to the place where I am going”. If he is going to come back to take his disciples to be with him then why should he mention that they already know the way to get there?

In verses 2 and 3 Jesus is speaking about him ascending into heaven and preparing a place in heaven for his disciples and his second coming when he will return to take them to be with him in the Father’s house. But there will be a time before His second coming when Jesus will not be there physically with them. It may be referring to this time period that Jesus tells them that they already know the way where he was going, indicating that they know how to be with him and his Father during this period.

Thomas replies saying “Lord we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 

Then Jesus makes this statement “I AM the way the truth and the life no man come to the Father except through me.” To a Jew the words “I AM” meant only one thing. It was the name of God – “Yahweh”. He goes on to explain to them that He and the father are one. If you really know Jesus, you know the Father as well. If you have seen Jesus, you have seen the Father as well. 

In fact, if you read further in the chapter Jesus tells them that he will not leave them asorphans when he is gone (John14:18). He promises to send the Holy Spirit to be with them and in them.

In short, Jesus was giving his disciples the assurance that when he is gone, during the time when he will be with the Father, the disciples will not be left alone in a world that has no place for them. When he said they already know the way, he was telling I am the way to the Father. In me, you are already with the Father!

Jesus said, “I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” (John 14:20).

The disciples are already “home”! Through Jesus they are already in the Father’s presence!

The point for us to note very clearly here is that these are the words of assurance that Jesus gave to his disciples - those who had left behind their families, homes and livelihood to follow the call of Jesus. Those who cared not for the safe and familiar ways but went out boldly following Jesus even when they did not fully understand. The understanding that Jesus’ abiding presence is constantly with them, was given as they followed him. 

Point to think on: Are we ready to take up the cross daily and follow Jesus? Are we willing to give up our comforts to follow Jesus? Do we wait until we fully understand before we decide to follow him? If you are willing to take the plunge and follow Jesus, then you have arrived home! Praise the Lord!

Listen: 'The Way, the Truth and the Life'