The Way, The Truth, The Life?

I think you're on the right track in interpreting it the way you are. The words attributed to Jesus are filled with symbolism. It's rare that he just directly said what he meant.

Jesus' religion was called the way, that is why he went on about it so much. He wanted others to find that way and to know that they couldn't find it any other place or religion because he may be had tried and had a good knowledge of what was around at the time.

He meant that konwing Jesus and going through him by way of the narrow path. (narrow because few travel it) to the father would mean that the person would have a close relationahip with God and only by going that way would people be able to have the closeness he was describing. Jesus was not a Christian it was the people after him that became followers of jesus and were therfore called Christians meaning followers of.....

He is indeed saying that no one could even get close to God and know Him unless they lived a life like Jesus. It's a good idea to read about him and the way he worked and lived by his teachings then we can get an idea of what is actually going to come.

Good Question

I do think people tried to teach me (esp. when I was very young) that this verse meant that believing in Jesus was the key...but I don't think I ever accepted that precise definition.

I do think it is probably more complex than your explanation though that is pretty close to one of the ways I interpret it. I do believe that the key is contained in other verses...love God and love one another. This is how Jesus lived...he showed us the way to live...the truth about the way to God. ...and that isn't something simplistic like "believe in him".

I also think that the next part of the verse you cited is significant. "...no man comes to the father but through me". Some might choose to interpret that as Jesus saying he was the only path and then extend that to saying that "only Christians" can get to God. I've never been convinced that is what he was saying.

Instead, I've always thought he was telling us something about his role in God's kingdom. Perhaps Jesus is telling us that he is the true "gatekeeper" of God's kingdom. That when we die, we will all meet him...those that know to walk toward the light and can accept the truth that Jesus was exactly who he said he was will be able to find the way to that gate...??? ...and perhaps it works a little like a popular club...those that Jesus recognizes and already knows get to go straight inside...the one's he doesn't know get to wait in line until God is ready to judge whether their life on earth merited an invitation to the party!

People who talk as if other religions have some type of mystical connection to God really do not understand other religions.

Jesus said he was the way to understand God in this verse because it is true. It has to do with the nature of who he was and what He came to do. He was the picture of God on earth in human form for us to see what He was like. He gave His life being put to death for our freedom and renewal from sin and death.

Other religions do not have an understanding of God at all.

I have a personality. Can a force create personality if it is like the wind, a force has no personality.

Buddhists have no concept of God.

Hindus God is everything around them and they worship millions of gods.

Muslims have a god made up by Muhammad and is hard to figure out what he is like since he promises sex, sex and more sex to those who make it. If they are male. The poor women who make it must be the sex objects including young boys who are also used in the heavens as sex objects.

What religion did you have in mind that is like Christianity?

Do the home work.

Jesus said he was the way because He is.

The life because He is the author of it.

The truth because the others are built on lies and false concepts of God.

"Christianity...[has become] the most perverted system that ever shone on man....Rogueries, absurdities and untruths were perpetrated upon the teachings of Jesus by a large band of dupes and imposters led by Paul, the first great corrupter of the teaching of Jesus." --- Thomas Jefferson

“The son-ship of Jesus Christ is the greatest fiction of human history.” (Lord Bishop of Canterbury Commission, the Spiritual Head of England, 1910.)

“The son-ship of Jesus Christ, the Trinity, the blood sacrifice of the lamb of God, atonement are not the teachings of Jesus. These are all inventions of Saint Paul who never really met Jesus.” (Hastings Rashdall, The Theory of Good and Evil)

"Initially there were 34 gospels that were compiled by word of mouth. Four were chosen for unclear reasons and 30 were left behind [burned]. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

“There is strong reason to believe that St. Paul fabricated the belief system of Christianity from Zoroastrian mythology. In order to hide Paul’s plaigerism… Christians burned the library of Alexandria in 390 A.D. Books in that library kept Mithra’s original story of what Pauline Doctrine is an almost exact copy. (George Sarton , Introduction to History of Sciences) ,

Jesus is the way in that only through him can we enter into an approved relationship with God Jesus is the truth because he always spoke the truth about his fathers word and Jesus is the life only thru him can we recieve lfe that is "the real life: everlasting

To me, it means that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and that no one can get to Heaven without going through him first. Anyone can get into Heaven, but ONLY if they believe in Jesus Christ and are saved.

Nothing more than the ravings of one biblical fable contributor who was repeating rumours he'd heard about what Jesus said.

It's not as if John heard Jesus say the words.

Let's face it; if it wasn't for Paul's needing something to sell we'd never have had xianity.

The Bible say,s we are baptised into Christ,and that Jesus is the door by which we can get to the Father,before Christ the

Gentile,s had no way to God but Jesus came and now we

have a way thue Christ our Lord.

Jesus is the gatekeeper, no one enters the gates of heaven but through Him. He even said robbers and thieves would attempt to cross the walls of heaven, which you seemed to be implying. Jesus is the Truth. Jesus is the only way into Heaven, like it or not. Those who reject His salvation will not be allowed to enter.

Jesus didnt make things purposely ambiguous, He wants you to understand and know Him. God will not accept and is in fact, deeply angered when he sees people worshipping false idols.

You are way off course. Jesus said He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It means what it says. No one can enter Heaven and the presence of God EXCEPT through Him. It's not complicated.