Jesus as well as the prophets and scriptures of God are the way
By Editorial Staff
Is Jesus the Way?
In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the “Way”. We read: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.’” (John 14:6)
In fact, there is nothing wrong with this description of Jesus if it is put in the right context in which it is read in the New Testament and as said by Jesus himself.
The New Testament teaches us the meaning of Jesus’ description as the “Way”. It means that Jesus was the teacher who taught people the way to God. This description is repeated in this context more than once in the New Testament.
We read: “Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.’” (Matthew 22:15-16)
We also read: “Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:5-6)
We further read: “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins” (Luke 1:76-77)
In fact, all prophets and messengers of God as well as the holy scriptures sent down to them can be described as the “way” for they guide people to the way of God. In the Qur’an, God describes the Qur’an as “guiding to the truth and a straight way”.
In the Qur’an, we read:
And [mention, O Muhammad], when We directed to you a few of the jinn, listening to the Qur’an. And when they attended it, they said, “Listen quietly.” And when it was concluded, they went back to their people as warners. They said, “O our people, indeed we have heard a [recited] Book revealed after Moses confirming what was before it which guides to the truth and to a straight way. (Al-Ahqaf 46:29-30)
Is Jesus the Truth?
In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the “Truth”. We read: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.’” (John 14:6)
In fact, God only can be the “Truth”. The “Truth” and the “True” are such attributes of God which cannot be given to anyone else except metaphorically rather than literally.
In the Old Testament, we read: “Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth.” (Psalm 31:5)
We also read: “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of truth. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18)
Jesus himself made clear that it is God who is “True” and that he is a messenger from God the “True”. We read: “Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him.” (John 7:28)
We also read: “I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” (John 8:26)
Jesus himself indicated that he came to testify for God and His Oneness. We read: “’You are a king, then!’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’” (John 18:37)
Therefore, Jesus is not the “Truth” literally but metaphorically. His description as the “Truth” means that he was the teacher who taught people the way to God with the truth.
We read: “Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.’” (Matthew 22:15-16)
Jesus’ description as the “Truth” in the New Testament also means that he said only the truth as he came for the confirmation of the commandments Moses came out with. He called for the oneness and love of God. Jewish rabbis approved such teachings. We read:
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. (Mark 12:28-34)
When the Jews wanted to kill Jesus, he pointed out that he had been a human being who had told the truth which he had heard from God. He said: “As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things.” (John 8:40)
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References:
1- The Glorious Qur’an (Sahih International Translation)
2- The Holy Bible (Visit biblegateway.com)
Read Also:
Is Jesus the Light of the World?
Is Jesus the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End or the First and the Last?
Is Jesus the Prophet or Messenger of God?