More than 300,000 pilgrims traverse the ancient paths each year. Some seek spiritual renewal and a deeper relationship with God like those who preceded them in the Middle Ages. Others pursue the meaning in life or walk to find answers to deep questions.  Although the reasons for exploring el Camino de Santiago differ, travelers can choose one of many routes. For hundreds of years el Camino, or The Way, has presented a physical representation of humanity’s ageless longing to connect with God, but Christ revealed the true path to the Father when He said, “I Am the Way.”

 

What is the Way to God According to Jesus?

Romans worshipped a pantheon of gods at the time of Christ. They held allegiance to twelve main deities and up to two hundred—even the Unknown God mentioned in Acts.

Yet moments after celebrating his final Passover meal with the disciples, Jesus pronounced these enigmatic words, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him. (John 14:6-7 NKJV)

The pagan believers of Rome, desperate in their search for God, missed the One who might save them. Sadly, more than one-fourth of today’s professing Christians believe God’s name is less important than one’s earnestness. Jesus declared otherwise. #iamstatementsofjesus #iamtheway Click To Tweet

 

What Does I Am the Way Mean?

Hours before His trial, Jesus shared these words with those in His inner circle. “I am the way, the truth, and the life”.

Though death loomed, the Lord offered assurance to those He loved. Their relationship would remain unbroken. Their access to Him undeterred.

Though death loomed, the Lord offered assurance to those He loved. Their relationship would remain unbroken. Their access to Him undeterred. #jesusiamstatements #iamtheway Click To Tweet

Unlike el Camino–which includes the French Way, the English Way, and many others—Jesus claimed He was, and is, the only Way.

Let’s consider the deeper meaning revealed by the original language of the scriptures.

• Ἐγώ(Egō) εἰμι (eimi) ἡ (hē) ὁδὸς (hodos). I Am the way.

Jesus employed the word Egō in this phrase, an emphatic word for I, coupled with eimi. As mentioned in a previous post, He intentionally referenced God’s self-declared name—declaring His own deity.(Exodus 3:14).

 

 

What Does I Am the Truth  Mean?

 

Ἐγώ (Egō) εἰμι (eimi) ἡ (hē) ἀλήθεια (alētheia). I Am the truth.

• Bloodied and bruised, the Gospel Truth—who remains unchangeable, overflowing with love and mercy—stood knee to knee with the persecutor. Offered liberty. Presented the promise of more.

Pilate said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice.

Pilate said to Him, What is Truth? (John 18:37-38a)

 

But the pressure and persuasion clouded Pilate’s mind. Still, Truth rose from the grave three days later.

Sadly,  “only a minority of born-again Christians—43%—still embrac[ing] absolute truth”. Oh, that we, too, might respond to the living Truth and His living power.

 

What Does I Am the Life Mean?

 

• Ἐγώ(Egō) εἰμι (eimi) ἡ (hē) and the life ζωή (zōē). I Am the life.

When Jesus said He was the “resurrection and the life”, He did more than proclaim Oneness with the Father.

Jesus:

-stepped into human sorrow. (He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. (Isaiah 53:3 NKJV)

-shed light in dark places.  (In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not ^[a]comprehend it. John 1:4-5 NKJV)

-removed the graveclothes from the spiritually dead and gave us new life (zōē). Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4 NKJV)

 

 

Seeking the Way, the Truth, and the Life

The idea of ambling along the hushed trails toward Santiago intrigues me.

Experts contend the journey is:

• lengthy and arduous.
• “a true pilgrimage of faith”.
• a peace-filled experience.
• “a spirit of surrender”.

 

I’m struck by the notion that as we seek the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we experience a similar journey. Scripture reminds us to walk on the way of holiness” (Isaiah 35:8) and to persevere despite our trials.

Like a road wending through the countryside, we will encounter storms. Strife. Struggle. But His “peace will pass all understanding” (Phil. 4:6) as He guides us toward the journey’s end. There, Christ will reward our spirit of surrender and faithfulness.

 

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Tammy Kennington

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