SECRET #42 OF FOLLOWING JESUS

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE.

There are seven "I AM" statements by Jesus recorded in the Gospel of John. Jesus is not into making sure everyone knows a certain body of knowledge or set of doctrines. He is completely all about having a relationship with each one who wants it. When He uses the "I AM" pronouncements, it is clear He is describing different dimensions or facets of the relationship with you He desires. One of the most familiar of these is found in a setting with the disciples just a couple of days before He heads to His death (John 14:1-6).
Jesus comforts His disciples regarding His imminent departure from them to go to the cross. He has mentioned this to them a few times and now it is time. He says: "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself"

I am convinced now that Jesus is referring to His death and His coming again to receive them personally is going to happen through the resurrection-"that where I am, there you may be also." Jesus wants us to be with Him wherever He is. By the way, now that's heaven-being in His presence with Him.
Then Jesus says, "And you know the way where I am going." Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" (John 14:1-6) Do you see how confused Thomas was with Jesus' words? He is as confused as most Christians are today. Thomas was thinking Jesus was referring to a place-a location that can be found with a good set of directions.

Jesus straightens out his thinking. Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." He's saying, "Thomas, you're missing the point! I am not talking about a place that you can find by a set of directions or a map. That's not the way. "I am the way!" Jesus is not interested in getting you to go to some special or heavenly location or place. The important thing is not a place, but a person. Jesus, Himself, is that person. He is the way!

With every one of the "I AM" pronouncements or signatures by Jesus in the Gospel of John there is a corresponding miracle or sign that illustrates it. With this one the miracle is the one in chapter 4 of John. Check it out.
 
Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine And there was a royal official whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe." The royal official said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." Jesus said to him, "Go; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your son lives"; and he himself believed and his whole household. This is again a second sign that Jesus performed when He had come out of Judea into Galilee. (John 4:46-54)

Here's what I see here. The official came to Jesus thinking that Jesus was the only way his son would have a chance to live. Jesus was the only way! Then Jesus spoke healing to the official. Jesus was the truth! Then, the official received word from his servants that his son was healed at the moment Jesus spoke the truth to him. The official then knew Jesus was the life!

This is the foundation for SECRET #42: The follower of Jesus relates to his Master as the way, the truth and the life. There is no place to figure out, only a person to follow, because He is the way, the truth and the life!