Jesus' disciples know that he is about to leave them, but they don't understand where he is going or how they can follow. Their uncertainty leads Thomas to ask a very human question:
“How can we know the way?”
Jesus answers with one of his clearest and most challenging claims.
1. Connect
People follow many different paths in their search for truth, meaning, and God.
Do you think all spiritual paths eventually lead to the same place? Why or why not?
2. Read
Read together.
As you read, notice what the disciples are worried about and what Jesus says about himself and his Father.
(NET2)
33 Children, I am still with you for a little while. You will look for me, and just as I said to the Jewish religious leaders, ‘Where I am going you cannot come,’ now I tell you the same.
34 “I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.”
36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you!” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? I tell you the solemn truth, the rooster will not crow until you have denied me three times!
(NET2)
1 “Do not let your hearts be distressed. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you. 3 And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too. 4 And you know the way where I am going.”
5 Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you have known me, you will know my Father too. And from now on you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be content.” 9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you for so long and yet you have not known me, Philip? The person who has seen me has seen the Father! How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father residing in me performs his miraculous deeds. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me, but if you do not believe me, believe because of the miraculous deeds themselves.
NET Bible, Second Edition. © 2017 Biblical Studies Press. Used by permission.
What caught your attention?
3. Explore
Look back at the passage as you discuss these questions.
- According to 14:1–3, what does Jesus tell his troubled disciples to do, and what does he promise them?
- What question does Thomas ask in verses 4–5?
- Instead of simply showing Thomas a way, what does Jesus claim about himself in verse 6?
- What does Jesus mean when he says, “No one comes to the Father except through me”?
- According to verses 7–11, what does Jesus claim about the relationship between himself and the Father?
4. Consider
Jesus says:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
- What is the difference between Jesus saying “I know the way” and “I am the way”?
- Why do you think Jesus makes such an exclusive claim?
- How would you respond to someone who said, “All religions are basically different ways of reaching the same God”?
- What do you find attractive, surprising, difficult, or hard to believe about Jesus' words?
5. Respond
Jesus' claim forces us to consider more than whether we admire his teaching. If he really is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, then our response to Jesus matters.
At this point in our conversations, who do you think Jesus is—and what questions do you still have about him?
As we continue investigating Jesus, consider our central question:
Who is this Jesus who claims that knowing him is knowing the Father and that he himself is the way to God?
Explore More
If you would like to keep reading, continue through and notice what Jesus promises his followers as he prepares to leave them.
Next Conversation: Life in the Vine — “I Am the True Vine.”