Let us look back now and think about the things Jesus the Messiah said about himself. Many of his claims are very strong, with great meaning, and cause conflict in our world.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14.6
Jesus says he is the way, the way to life and to God. He does not say that he only points to the way, which he does, but he is the way. He also does not simply say he tells us the truth, which he does, but that he is the truth. And again, he does not tell us that he just gives life, which he does, but that he is life. We can see from the stories we have read so far in this lesson that Jesus is very serious about what his work on earth was. God himself worked to bring people to truth and light through Jesus Christ. When Jesus claims that there is no way to God except through himself this is a great challenge to all people. Look at another claim he made:
“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.… No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.” John 6.37-45
By telling us what Jesus said in John chapter six, the Gospel message is clear: when we believe that Jesus is the way of life and salvation, then we have come into the light of God. He came down from God, and he returned to God. He is the message of truth himself. God wants all men to know the truth about how we should live and believe. The best way for this to be done was for Jesus to come into this world as a person and live among us. By doing this, Jesus showed the true nature of God and God’s kingdom. It is difficult to misunderstand what Jesus claims in this next Bible verse:
“Don’t you know me… even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” John 14.9
Shortly before his crucifixion and resurrection Jesus prayed this to God:
“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” John 17.1-5
There can be little doubt that Jesus knew who he was, and what his work on earth was: to show us who God is so that we can know Him. It is up to us to listen to Jesus and decide what we will do.