Behold, I am doing a new thing

On December 31, 2014 as we reflect upon the bountiful blessings of the past year with gratitude and anticipate even more abundant blessings awaiting us in 2015, the Verse of the Day reminds us of who God is and what He alone can do:

Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 (New Living Translation):

I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

The passage from Isaiah also brought to mind this poetic expression:

God is constant, never changing.

Yet God is fluid, ever changing.

Like the ocean and horizon at sunset and sunrise,

Always the same yet never quite the same,

Infinitely wise, ruler of earth and skies,

We humbly recognize our savior and creator,

Who makes all things new.

Marvelous are your works;

Righteous are your ways.

Worthy of the glory,

We give our highest praise.

Never changing, yet ever changing,

Who is like unto our God?

There is no one like Him.

Who is like unto our God?

Each New Year represents a new beginning, as God reminds us once again that He makes all things new. As I considered deeply the concept of a new beginning or a fresh start, I happened to think of the lyrics to a little song composed based on the words, “Behold, I make all things new.”:

Behold, I make all things new.

Behold, I make all things new.

Behold, I make all things new, brand new.

Things will never be the same.

 

Behold, I am making you new.

Behold, I am making you new.

Behold, I am making you new, brand new.

You will never be the same.

The same expression is also the title of another poem with the same message.

All Things New

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth;

shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness,

and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19                    

                                                                             

Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.

Trust me and you will see. You will never be the same.

As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.

 

I am God–I do not lie, I am faithful and true.

Almighty, God of the impossible is my name.

Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.

 

Some thought it was over, but I am by no means through.

I cover and restore to remove all guilt and shame.

As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.

 

Never forget what I have already brought you through.

You have a divine purpose; your life is not a game.

Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.

 

In me you overcome—I am Lord of the breakthrough

Who offers boundless promises that you can now claim.

As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.

 

Trust me, obey and see what I have in store for you.

With your life you will make known my goodness and proclaim:

Behold, I am the Lord God who makes all things new.

As you look to me, it is no secret what I can do.

As we embark further into the New Year, we may encounter challenges and difficult situations that seem impossible to resolve on our own. The Bible reminds us of God’s unfailing power and strength to turn a seemingly impossible situation into a triumphant victory. We must never forget the message of Isaiah 43:19.

This particular verse and the tragic death of his nephew became the inspiration for one of Don Moen’s signature musical compositions, “God Will Make a Way,” offered here by Hosanna! Music.

What a wonderful reminder and source of encouragement as we close out 2014 with a grateful heart and enter 2015 with great expectancy.

Lord, make us instruments of your peace

Modified and re-posted below is the blog entry of a year ago:

The Verse of the Day for December 30, 2014 comes from John 16:33 (NLT):

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Most appropriately, the reference to the peace that comes from the Prince of Peace occurs on the day before the Universal Hour of Peace Day which takes place on December 31.

In addition, every year we celebrate International Peace Day on the first of January. In 1981 the United Nations General Assembly declared this day as an International Peace Day. Despite that declaration, we live in the midst of war-torn times, where there is a notable absence of peace.

The events of September 11, 2001 catapulted the world into a state of anxiety and fearfulness, as the world has been engulfed in wars and rumors of wars. Though we seek “Peace in our times” and cry out for “Peace, peace, but there is no peace.” In the midst these turbulent times of seemingly endless turmoil and strife, the world is ever seeking some semblance of lasting peace. The words of Sara Teasdale certainly ring true:

One white shining hour of peace

Count many a year of strife well lost.

The peace that Jesus speaks of goes beyond the usual definition which refers to “the normal non-warring condition of a nation, a group of nations or the world. . . a state of harmony among people or groups; cessation or freedom from strife or dissension.”

In contrast, the Biblical definition encompasses a state of untroubled, undisturbed well-being, expressed in the Hebrew expression shalom. According to Strong’s Concordance, shalom means “completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.” It is an inner reality, for the peace of God indicates being free from anxiety and care; it is not dependent upon outside conditions.

The peace of God comes from the God of peace, and it is only possible to obtain it through the Prince of Peace. John 14:27 declares this truth:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

As my thoughts turned toward the peace that the Lord gives, I recall having composed this poem:

Peace

In His will is our peace.

Dante

                            

O, Lord, make us instruments of your peace, we pray.

From our lives may there stream heavenly melodies.

As consummate virtuoso compose and play

Upon our soul, inspire glorious harmonies.

In such measured moments of sweetest quietude

Arrange serenades of praise. Let grace notes resound,

As our lives crescendo in songs of gratitude,

From heart to heart, where your grace and mercy abound.

Orchestrate aubades, nocturnes, songs at eventide;

Complete cantatas of peace within us, align

Our desires and your pleasure. Here we abide,

Saxophone and soloist, communing by design.

Knowing our purpose, we remain quiet and still,

Composed in perfect peace, the center of Your will.

The essence of the intent of the poem is also expressed in the song “Instruments of Peace” recorded in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Verse of the Day reminds us that the peace that Jesus Christ gives is a priceless commodity in our times.

John 14:1-3–Bright mansions above

Taken from John 14:1-3 in the New Living Translation, the Verse of the Day for December 29, 2014 is a familiar passage that expresses great comfort:

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

This particular passage in the King James Version I have recited or heard someone else read these words so many times at a funeral or “homegoing” service for a friend of family member.

Let not your heart be troubled:

You believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father’s house are many mansions:

If it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

And receive you unto myself;

That where I am, there you may be also.

In thinking about those “bright mansions above,” I recall the lyrics to a gospel song regarding the dwelling place that God has prepared for us: “A Building not Made with Man’s Hands.” Those lyrics were the inspiration for a poem that included a reference to the opening verses John 14:

Not Made by Man’s Hands

Lord, keep my day by day,
in a pure and perfect way.
I want to live, I want to live on
in a building not made by hand.

Traditional gospel song

 

I recall the poignant words of the Lord Jesus Christ,

Words of the Bridegroom to reassure his Beloved:

“I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am

There you may be also, and if I go and prepare

A place for you, I will come again and receive you

Unto myself that where I am, you may be also.”

Though my dwelling place is furnished just to my tastes,

Will I need an office where I can compose my thoughts?

Is there a kitchen for me to prepare meals that bless?

Or will you make your servants sit down and enjoy

Sumptuous feasts prepared to satisfy the appetites

Of those who hunger and thirst for more than food or drink?

I know I will enjoy my custom-crafted mansion,

Exquisite design from God’s mind, not made by man’s hands.

 

WP Choral Singers offer a moving rendition of the traditional spiritual “In Bright Mansions Above.”

This is the rest: Enter in

The Verse of the Day for December 28, 2014 is found in Matthew 11: 28, but to better understand exactly what Jesus Christ is saying, we also need to examine verses 29 and 30 which close out the chapter.

Matthew 11:28-30:

²⁸ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Jesus Christ invites his followers, all those who work and are heavy laden, to enter “a place of quiet rest . . . near to the heart of God.” The Lord draws to himself those who are burdened with care, that they might find rest to their souls. In thinking about a place of rest from one’s labor, we recall the original intent of the Sabbath, first spoken of Genesis 2:1-3:

So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. ² On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. ³ And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.

This passage in Genesis connects the Sabbath and the “seventh day” and “rest,” all terms derived from the Hebrew word Shabbat. Described as the centerpiece of Jewish life, Shabbat (the Sabbath) is designated as a day of rest and celebration beginning on Friday at sunset and ending on the following evening after nightfall.

The concept of the Sabbath comes to mind while reflecting on the Verse of Day and the following verses in Matthew 11:28-30.This particular passage is the inspiration for the following original song:

This Is the Rest

This is the rest, wherein He shall cause the weary to rest.

Enter in and cease from your labor.

This is the rest, come in, partake of His promises.

This is the rest, come in, be refreshed in the Lord.

 

Jesus said come unto to me,

All ye that are heavy laden.

Take my yoke upon and learn of me,

For I am meek and lowly of heart.

And ye shall find rest, rest unto your souls.

 

This is the rest, wherein He shall cause the weary to rest.

Enter in and cease from your labor.

This is the rest, come in, partake of His promises.

This is the rest, come in, be refreshed in the Lord.

Reggie and Ladye Love Smith offer a song to round out our discussion of words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 11:28-30: “I will give you rest.”

Psalm 103:1-2–Bless the Lord, O my soul

The Verse of the Day for December 27, 2014 is taken from the first two verses of Psalm 103, one of my favorite psalms:

Psalm 103: 1-2 (NKJV)

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

² Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:

Andrae Crouch offers a familiar musical version of “Bless His Holy Name” inspired by the first verse of Psalm 103:

The New Living Translation provides this rendering of these two verses:

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

This passage in the Amplified Bible is especially well expressed in a more detailed manner. Indeed, the opening verses are but an appetizer to the full course of the entire psalm which is posted below followed by musical rendering by Zach Jones:

Psalm 103

[A Psalm] of David–Amplified Bible

¹ Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!

² Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits—

³ Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,

⁴ Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;

⁵ Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle’s [strong, overcoming, soaring]!

⁶ The Lord executes righteousness and justice [not for me only, but] for all who are oppressed.

⁷ He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness.

⁹ He will not always chide or be contending, neither will He keep His anger forever or hold a grudge.

¹⁰ He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.

¹² As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe].

¹⁴ For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

¹⁶ For the wind passes over it and it is gone, and its place shall know it no more.

¹⁷ But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children’s children—

¹⁸ To such as keep His covenant [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it] and to those who [earnestly] remember His commandments to do them [imprinting them on their hearts].

¹⁹ The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word.

²¹ Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, all you His hosts, you His ministers who do His pleasure.

²² Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion; bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul!

Marriage: a love of endless giving

Angela and Shajuan Joyner on their wedding day, December 21, 2014

As the week passes swiftly moving toward Christmas Day, I pause to reflect upon a memorable event that occurred this past Sunday: the wedding ceremony for Shajuan Jermaine Joyner and Angela Renee Johnson, our younger daughter. Not only did I have the privilege of escorting my daughter down the aisle, but I was also doubly honored to have officiated the marriage ceremony. In absorbing the essence of that memorable event, Proverbs 13:19a came to mind:

The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul:

I also recall 1 Corinthians 2:14:

Now thanks be unto God who always causes us to triumph in Christ and makes manifest the sweet savor of His knowledge by us in every place

Shajuan and Angela’s wedding took place on Sunday, December 21, four days before Christmas, a time where the concept of giving is clearly demonstrated. Marriage also provides boundless opportunities to give, as is expressed in this original poem which was recited during the ceremony:

For Shajuan and Angela

on their Special Day

December 21, 2014

Reflections on Marriage

Sharing is caring

a love of endless giving

 

Marriage isn’t funny,

But it can be fun,

Taking two distinct parts

And blending them into one.

 

In marriage we give and receive to live.

Just how this works is so hard to conceive.

But the same hand that opens up to give

Is the same hand that opens to receive.

Give and then see what the Lord has in store.

Live and start to give and then give some more.

When at last you come to find a closed door,

Open up and then give and give some more.

 

Love ever lives,

Outlives, forgives,

And while it stands

With open hands, it lives.

For this is love’s prerogative:

To give and give and give.

 

He who lives and never gives,

May live for years and never live.

But he who lives and lives to give

Shall live for years with more to give.

 

Whether at Christmastime or in marriage or for any other celebration, giving is always in season.

More prophecies: Of His kingdom there shall be no end

Below is a modified version of last year’s blog entry on this day:

Apropos of the season, the Verse of the Day for December 14, 2014 is taken from Luke 1:30-33 (NLT):

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.

He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.

And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Another passage containing the fulfillment of words spoken by the prophets concerning the Messiah is found in Zechariah 14:9

And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.

This verse brings to mind that not only shall the Lord be king over all the earth, but “of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Other scriptures also proclaim that “of his kingdom there shall be no end,” as Revelation 11:15 makes known:

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.

Psalm 45:6 (NLT) also makes known that the throne of the Messiah would be everlasting:

Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.

Psalm 145:13 (NLT) further indicates that “For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations.”

Daniel 4:3 proclaims:

How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, his rule through all generations.

A similar declaration was made in Daniel 7:13-14 (NLT):

¹³ As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.

¹⁴ He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

In 1 Chronicles 17:11-12 (NLT) we find a similar declaration regarding the throne of the everlasting kingdom of the Lord:

¹¹ For when you die and join your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, one of your sons, and I will make his kingdom strong.

¹² He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for me. And I will secure his throne forever.

George Friedrich Handel’s Messiah, the renowned oratorio with texts from the King James Version of the Bible is among the best known and most frequently performed music compositions in the Western world, particularly during the Christmas season. The celebrated work ends with the Hallelujah Chorus which echoes the same declarations regarding the everlasting kingdom of the Messiah expressed in the Verse of the Day. Listen to a contemporary adaptation of the popular piece performed by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

Born, born, born in Bethlehem

A painting of Bethlehem in 1882 by Palenov

Originally posted a year ago, today’s blog entry is modified and re-posted below:

In the Verse of the Day for December 13, 2014 we find another passage related to one of the prophecies that foretold the birth of Jesus Christ. When Herod encountered the wise men who came seeking the “King of the Jews,” his response is recorded in Matthew 2:4-6 (New Living Testament):

He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

The prophet referred to is Micah who had made this prophetic declaration regarding place where the Messiah would be born:

Micah 5:2–5 (NLT):

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth… And he will stand to lead his flock with the LORD’s strength, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored around the world. And he will be the source of peace…

Located about six miles southwest of Jerusalem, Bethlehem is not only the birthplace of Jesus Christ, but the city has a rich heritage as a place of importance in God’s plan for humanity. Genesis 35:19 (NLT) records the first mention of the town:

So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem)

In Hebrew the name means “house of bread.” Recall that the account of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz from the book of Ruth takes place in Bethlehem, where Naomi returns with Ruth after the famine in Moab. David, the King, the great-grandson of Ruth and Boaz was born and grew up in Bethlehem. Eventually the Judean town became known as the City of David, for it was there the prophet Samuel anointed him to be king over Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-13).

The account of the birth of Jesus Christ provides a confluence of circumstances that merge in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph found themselves at that particular location when Caesar Augustus decreed that a census be taken. Every person in the entire Roman world had to go to his own town to register. Joseph, being a descendent of David, was required to go to Bethlehem to register with Mary, his wife who was pregnant at the time. Because of the overcrowded conditions due to the census, the inn where they sought refuge was full, and Mary gave birth to Savior of the World in the primitive conditions of a stable where the child was laid in a manger.

A number of the songs celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ mention Bethlehem, including “Children, Go Where I Send Thee,” with its resounding refrain: “One for the little biddy baby who was born, born, born in Bethlehem.”

Mandisa, contemporary gospel artist, offers her spirited rendition of this Christmas classic:

Perhaps the all-time favorite Christmas carol is “O, Little Town of Bethlehem,” offered here as a medley with “Away in a Manger” by Kari Jobe.

How Jesus, the Messiah, was born

The Verse of the Day for December 11, 2014 is a revision the blog entry that was posted a year ago. This verse relates an Old Testament prophecy concerning the birth of Jesus, the Messiah found in Isaiah 7:14 (NLT):

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

In the Gospel of Matthew the focal point is a portrait of Jesus Christ, the King. Chapter 1 provides an account of his birth, opening with the genealogy or record of the ancestors of the Messiah. The following section discusses the birth of Jesus, the Messiah:

¹⁸ This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

²⁰ As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. ²¹ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:22-23 (NLT) establishes the fulfilling of the prophetic word spoken in Isaiah 7:14:

²² All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

²³ “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”

The two passages from Isaiah and Matthew that related to the birth of the Savior by a virgin are only two of the more than three hundred of prophecies concerning the Lord Jesus Christ and his first coming to earth, all of which came to pass with pinpoint accuracy. The odds of one single word coming to pass are astronomical, let alone more than 300.

We recognize, of course, what was said to Jeremiah, that God will hasten to perform His Word, so we see that when God speaks a word prophetically that it always comes to pass. Remember these words of the Lord spoken in Isaiah 55:11 (in the Amplified Bible):

So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

One of my favorite songs of the season celebrating the Savior’s birth is “O Come, O Come, Immanuel.” The popular Christmas song is a translation of the Latin text (“Veni, veni, Emmanuel”) by John Mason Neale and Henry Sloane Coffin in the mid-19th century, offered here by Selah:

A variation on the theme of coming of Jesus Christ is this song “Immanuel, God with Us,” performed by Amy Grant:

The songs of the season are constant reminders that, indeed, God is with us.

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Another metaphor used by Jesus involves three different aspects of the Son of God, as revealed in John 14:6 (NLT):

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

As the author of an article “Who is Jesus?: Seven facets of his life,” I discuss the seven metaphors found in John from which the following comment is taken:

In the opening verse of John 14 the disciples find themselves in a state of shock upon hearing Jesus saying that he is going away and that they could not follow him to place where he is going. They were troubled because Jesus was talking about His death. They were agitated like water in a pot on a hot stove. Jesus told them that He is preparing a place in heaven. He is the means of bringing them to heaven to be with His Father. He is going ahead of them and will prepare a place for them and that he will return again. Thomas, one of the disciples, asked,” “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

In responding to Thomas, Jesus uses another metaphor with three features: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

The way refers to a path or road or “way.” Jesus declares that he is not only the way; He is the only way to the Father, as he elaborates that “no man comes to the Father but by me.”

Jesus Christ is the full, final and complete revelation of God. Jesus is the truth. “I myself am the truth.” “I and I alone, and no one else am the truth.” Jesus is the actual embodiment of the truth. He is the authoritative representative and revealer of God. He hears what the Father says and does what the Father tells Him to do (5:19; 8:29The essence of truth in its purest form is embodied in Jesus Christ, who is “full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14), and he is the source of grace and truth to men, for “grace and truth came by means of or by way Jesus Christ. Earlier in the Gospel of John, Jesus exhorted his disciples that if would continue in his words that they would know the truth and the truth would make them free. To have the Truth is to have eternal life which brings to mind the last part of the metaphor. (17:3).  You can paraphrase John 14:6, “I am the way that reveals the truth (about God) and gives life (to people).”

Jesus is the way:

Jesus Christ is the giver of life, life more abundant in the present and eternal life to come. Jesus promised “eternal life” to all who believe on Him: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28).

Not only does Jesus Christ give life, correspondingly he also delivers from death. Christ conquered death—physical, spiritual and eternal. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

The website abideinChrist.com comments: Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Jesus is not only the way to God; He is the truth of God because He is the embodiment of God’s self-revelation. He is the life of God. He is “the true God and eternal life.”You can paraphrase John 14:6, “I am the way that reveals the truth (about God) and gives life (to people).”

The photo of a poster that displays the tri-fold metaphor of John 14:6—“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” This metaphor is brought to life with the Christian Praise and Worship song: “Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life”: