Jesus: Truth Personified
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to describe someone you know and struggled to find the right words? Sometimes we find it difficult to precisely express the qualities of friends or acquaintances. In contrast, Jesus had no trouble describing himself clearly and concisely. Shortly before his death, Jesus said to Thomas: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Joh 14,6).
Jesus says unequivocally: «I am the truth». Truth is not an abstract idea or principle. Truth is a person and that person is me. Such a weighty assertion challenges us to make a decision. If we believe Jesus, then we must believe all of his words. However, if we do not believe him, then everything is worthless and we cannot believe his other statements either. There is no weighing. Either Jesus is truth personified and speaks truth, or both are false. Now let's look at three aspects of the Bible that will help us better understand this statement.
The truth frees
Jesus said: “…and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (Joh 8,32)The truth that Jesus embodies has the power to free us from sin, guilt, and failure. The Apostle Paul reminds us: "For freedom Christ has set us free!" (Gal 5,1)It enables us to live a life of freedom and love.
The truth leads us to God
Jesus emphasized that he is the only way to the Father: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Joh. 14,6)In a world full of different beliefs and ideologies, it is important to remember this central truth: Jesus is the way that leads us to God.
The truth fills us with life
Jesus offers a life of abundance, a fulfilled life full of joy, peace, and love. Jesus says to Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whoever lives by believing in me shall never die.” (Joh 11,25-26)This passage shows that Jesus is life in the sense of eternal salvation and eternal life. Through faith in Jesus, believers receive the promise of eternal life. This has an impact on us because it offers hope and comfort in times of sorrow and death. Eternal life is given only through Jesus Christ: “This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (Joh 5,11-12).
Eternal life is given only through Jesus Christ: when we accept Jesus as our Savior, we receive this eternal life. This affects our attitude towards death and life after death: it gives us the certainty of life after death and motivates us to live our present life in the light of this eternal perspective.
May you always remember that Jesus is the truth and that through him you have access to a life of freedom and love. May you resolve to open yourself to this truth, to grow in it, and to express the liberating truth of Jesus Christ in your daily life and in the dealings with those around you.
by Joseph Tkach
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