Journal John 14 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Observation: Simple statement full of complex implications. One of the first scriptures I was introduced to and memorized. What happened between then and now to increase my First Love?
Analysis: What confidence this simple verse provides!
Jesus is the way. Jesus is the truth. Jesus is the life. If I am going to approach the Father, the only way to get there is through Jesus.
Songs were written on this verse. Joy came welling up from our hearts. Courage filled our souls. We sang these truths to each other and to the heavens above, declaring Him and Him alone!!
Pretty cool times.
Then I grew older in the faith and, guess what? These words deepened. They became part of the reason why other theological things (like say, duh, the Gospel?) started to make sense.
The mind-boggling wisdom of God is how everything that I have learned, whether I realized it or not at the time of learning, folds into and support/is supported by the Gospel.
The Gospel, therefore, isn’t just some theological construct, isn’t a dry and stale “plan”, but is a living and active representation of the Wisdom and Mercy of God. That is why my eyes get brighter, my voice gets more intense and excited, my heart and pulse start to race.
We are privy to and experiencing a Plan, conceived before Time began, executed on purpose with a Terrible price to pay by the Son, so that all of Creation would bow before the Lamb at the End of Days, redeemed and sanctified through the Cross.
Hammer point: Even the simplest of Bible references point to the Gospel.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the Cross and your decision to die for me to redeem me from the penalty of Sin. The Way, the Truth, and the Life: no other person could have done what you did. AMEN