Christosis: Imitating JesusÀpẹrẹ

Thomas is a disciple who is not afraid to speak up, and in verse 5, his question reveals that he clearly feels Jesus is not being clear. Have you ever felt that Jesus is not being clear with you? Let him know. Ask more questions. Jesus welcomes questions, and we see this in verse 6.

Jesus continues to build on His language of “the way” (vv. 4, 6).

We have often taken John 14:6 and used it to caricature Jesus as a key. What does a key do? A key unlocks a door and gets us into the place we’re trying to access. We use this statement to say that Jesus is our key to Heaven or to God.

But when we connect Jesus’ words in verse 6 with all of His teaching—and especially with His words in verse 4 about “knowing the way”—it’s appropriate to expand our metaphors. Yes, Jesus is the key (Can I get an “amen”?), but Jesus is also the map. Jesus is the guide—the Google Maps, the Waze—who leads us to the destination. But when following a map, you have to participate. You have to move with the map.

We cannot merely reduce Jesus to a key that gets us what we want. Instead, Jesus is the way who reveals to us what God wants. The good news is that, through Jesus, God wants to know you. He has prepared a place for you.

Jesus is the truth in definition and reveals the true way to live.

Jesus is the key to the life to come, but also the way to experience life now.

Let’s not reduce Jesus to a simple tool. Let’s follow Jesus into the path of abundant life (John 10:10).

What have you been holding onto that has kept you from fully embracing the way of Jesus?