Ancient Words: Miracles of Jesus, The Way—The Truth—The Life
Jesus as the Light, embodies the most powerful element of creation. Light was used in the beginning to define creation; Light will ultimately destroy creation; and finally, Light will re-new an eternal creation. Embodied within Light, within Jesus, is his own description: (John 14.6) “I am the way, the truth and the life—and no one comes to the Father except through me.” Within Jesus and by Jesus is the miracle of man’s destiny—for man salvation without Christ is impossible but through God’s Light all things are possible.
The Way is our direction for otherwise we are all as sheep without a shepherd and wandering with no path to follow. Christ is the Way for the human race to follow. His course of direction has meaning and purpose even in the face of grave and dangerous challenges. (Psalm 18.30) As for God, his Way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
The Truth is flawless, always perfect. Christ is the Truth for the human race to understand and to practice. His Truth has no deceit, no hidden selfish objectives. His Truth always stands firm and is never shaken by the forces of falsehood. (Psalm 25:5) Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
The Life is eternal. Death has no grasp, no foothold –ever! Christ as Life exposes and destroys the darkness with his final existence. Revelation 21:22-25 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.
Thomas had asked the question in anguish it seems—(John 14:5) Thomas said to him (Jesus), “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” So as Jesus said to Thomas and the 12, he says to us today with the same assurance and with the same outcome: (John 14:1-4) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life! Man’s challenge is to come to him, to recognize him, to honor him, to follow him and to obey the Master of our eternal destiny. This world is headed on a path toward destruction because of the world’s choice of darkness over Light. The choice of Light as our way and truth and life absolutely ensures our eternal destiny. (Jude 1:24-25) To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Scott and Jane Johnson minister with East Faulkner Church of Christ and BRG Bible. Bible questions can be sent to [email protected].
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BENT, NOT BROKEN!
I am currently serving on Disaster Services in Apalachicola Fl.
As we were driving in and surveying the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael we were all taken a back. There was an area that was completely devastated. Houses, boats, vehicles, bridges, piers, and downed trees were everywhere, and in the middle of it all stood a lone Palm tree.
We have been serving thousands of meals a day, distributing clean up/hygiene kits, food boxes and various supplies to these precious people. We have offered counseling and prayer support, ears to listen and arms to hug. One thing has stood out, that Palm tree.
Palm trees are designed to withstand storms. It has been proven that they can withstand hurricane force winds being bent almost parallel to the ground and very seldom uprooted.
Palm trees that grow with other Palm trees actually suffer less damage than those in isolation. Together in fact they form a hedge of protection, shade, and its fruit grows sweeter over time.
The people of Apalachicola are Palm trees that have grown together! They are bent but not broken! They have been a source of help and protection to not only themselves but to others.
As much as we have been ministering to them, they have blessed us and ministered to us more, proving the sweetness of the fruits they bear, even after the storm!
“Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalms 107:28-31 KJV
Please continue to pray!
Captain Jason Perdieu is corps officer of the Salvation Army of El Dorado.