The Way, the truth, and the life
Spend a few moments in silence before God preparing your heart to hear from Him.
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” – Psalm 1
What does this Psalm say is the way to life?
Pray: Psalm 1 begins with a beatitude that declares those who delight in, find pleasure in God’s Word flourish and live fruitful lives. Those who void following the way of the wicked but live obedient to the way of God, are happy. The Hebrew word often translated as blessed more often means happy, genuine happiness that flows from living the good life. Take some time to thank God for the goodness He gives you when you trust in Him.
How does following God’s way bring true happiness?
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” – John 15:9-12
Read: John 14:1-14
What does this passage teach you about Jesus? What is Jesus teaching His disciples?
In this passage Jesus is sharing His last meal before His death with His disciples and preparing them for what is about to happen to Him. He begins by teaching them what true leadership looks like. In the gospel of Matthew (see chapter 18), Jesus told His disciples that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven are those who become like little children, those who are humble and seek to serve others. In John’s gospel, Jesus demonstrates ultimate humility by washing His disciples’ feet and eventually dying on the cross for the sins of the world. Through Jesus, we learn that the way to truth and life is by following Him in the way of love. Throughout this last meal, Jesus speaks about the way of love. He says, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another…If you love me, keep my commands…No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jesus’ ultimate desire for His disciples and all those who would follow Him in the future, was that they learn what it means to love.
Listen: Check out the following video for further study.
What needs to change in your life as a result of hearing this message about Jesus?
Pray: Use the following passage of Scripture as a guide for a closing prayer to your time spent with God today.
“I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” – Ephesians 4:1-6
