Although the last week before the crucifixion began in apparent triumph for the disciples of Jesus, the final few days were extremely upsetting for them. Their entire worldview of the coming of the Messiah and what he would do for Israel was challenged through Jesus’ own words. Jesus had cut himself off from any help he could have expected from the Jewish authorities (Matthew 23), and told the disciples that both Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed by gentile armies, probably Rome (Matthew 23:37-38; Luke 21:20). What was the Messiah to save, if both Jerusalem and its Temple were destroyed? Where and over whom would he reign? Not only so, but they had been taught that Messiah would never die (John 12:34), but not only did Jesus claim the Messiah would die, but he predicted his own death (John 12:32-33). Then, he told his disciples he was about to leave them (John 13:33), and not only couldn’t they follow him, but each one of them would abandon him (Mark 14:37)!
Such upsetting news had taken its toll. Judas decided to turn Jesus over to the Jewish authorities at an opportune time (Luke 22:3-6), probably in hope that this would bring Jesus to his senses, vis-à-vis as Judas believed Jesus’ senses should be. During their final meal together, Jesus revealed to his disciples in the upper room that one of the Twelve would betray him (Mark 14:18-19). Each of them asked if he were the traitor, but Jesus’ only reply was it was one who ate with him at the table (Mark 14:20). However, when Judas asked, Jesus told him it was indeed he who would betray his Messiah (Matthew 26:25). A short discussion between Judas and Jesus probably occurred, because I can’t imagine the dinner going on without something being said. Either Judas would have denied it, or he would have privately admitted it to Jesus, telling him he wouldn’t have to betray him, if only he would take the reins of his Messianic office and lead Israel to victory. It wasn’t until after the meal was over that Jesus told Judas to quickly do as he had planned (John 13:27). It was as though Judas, at first, thought there was a glimmer of hope that Jesus would change his mind, but when all hope failed, he performed the act of an enemy (satan in the text).
With Judas gone, Jesus comforted his disciples, telling them, indeed, he was going away, but, together with their trust and labor, he would prepare them to be dwelling place for the Father (John 14:2, 23), for they did know both where he was going and the way to get there (John 14:4)!
It was Thomas who interrupted Jesus in order to say that they really didn’t know where Jesus was going, so how could they know the way (John 14:5). Therefore, Jesus replied that they knew him (Jesus), and he is the Way (John 14:6). They had always believed, just as they were always taught, that the Messiah would be a military leader. The way to victory was violence (Matthew 4:8-9), but Jesus claimed he, the person, Jesus, was the Way to victory. Defeating one’s enemies lay in loving them, being kind to them and praying for them (Matthew 5:44)! Of course, they couldn’t understand then what that meant, but how does one change his worldview? How does one believe something other than what he had always been taught? Judas couldn’t do it, but at least these men still believed Jesus was the Messiah, even though they no longer knew what that meant.
Nevertheless, Jesus told them they knew the Way – Jesus! They also knew the Truth – Jesus! And, finally, they knew the Life – Jesus! Every blessing or spiritual gift we could ever need is wrapped up in Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). No man is able to come to the Father except by way of Jesus (John 14:6). None of the world’s religions, including Judaism, are able to know the way, that is, to know how to walk in the will of the Father, because the Way is a person, and we come to God by Way of Jesus.
None of the world’s religions, including Judaism, know God. How is one able to know what one is unable to see? If all our understanding comes through one or more of our five senses, how could one ever come to know what he is unable to see, hear, touch, taste, or smell? Oh! Mankind is able to understand that God exists, and that he is powerful etc. (Romans 1:18-20). Nevertheless, only those who know Jesus are able to say they know God (John 1:18). Jesus has become our Truth (John 14:6; 1Corinthians 1:30). He came out from God (John 16:27) and became flesh (John 1:14), and he was able to be seen, touched and heard (1John 1:1, 3).
None of the world’s religions, including Judaism, know the Life, vis-à-vis the spiritual life that his born of God—the Life lived in the Kingdom of God (cp. John 3:3). For the disciple of Jesus, to live is Christ (Philippians 1:21). He is within us the Life we live (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27) and in so doing we have experienced or become partakers of divine nature (2Peter 1:4).
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