The Way For every challenge, there’s a solution; problem, there’s an answer; and impossibility, there’s a way. This is one of the great attributes of humanity - the continual pursuit of ways to turn an inability into a benefit by simply discovering the answers. This has made the recent availability of AI so extremely beneficial. As long as there is access to the internet, the answer to endless questions may be obtained. This process of resolving issues, though, has become the natural and immediate response - looking for a device, a supplement, or action by which the way can be made. The source of the answer is very reliant upon a system to be followed. While this is a dominant tendency in today’s tech culture, looking for a method or recipe for the answer has been the go-to pursuit of humanity from day one. The snake enticed with the notion that all the world’s problems could be understood. The way through the wilderness to the Promised land was under major analysis and criticism as to its legitimacy. The problem in both these examples is not the search for an answer, but the source for the discovery of that way. For Adam and Eve, looking to something they could do as the answer turned them away from the true Answer that was theirs all along - their Creator and Father. The children of Israel experienced the very same result when they confined their hopes and actions to the methods that seemed best. Both were answers, but from the wrong source and ended in disaster. Jesus, in John 14 introduced an opportunity for all to never be without an answer from the only truly reliable and faithful Source. Instead of allowing hearts to be troubled over the world’s challenges, He declared Himself to be the Way, Truth, and Life in every problem that could arise. Not just a DIY manual that provides a formula, but the One that Moses, David, and Paul turned to when all other considerations faltered. For any challenge that would trouble the heart today, there is this wonderful opportunity for so much more than a world’s recovery method. In the Discovery of Jesus Himself as the Way, failure no longer has to be a fear and peace can reign in the knowing that beyond all reason and analysis, He will provide. In this trust is not just survival, but overwhelming innovation, triumph, and glory given to God. Notes The world’s source as the way is perilous. Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV) 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. With God as the source - a way through anything. Isaiah 43:19 (KJV) 19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Requires Turning to Him in everything Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. The Plan is Christ Himself Colossians 2:2-3 (TLB) 2 This is what I have asked of God for you: that you will be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love, and that you will have the rich experience of knowing Christ with real certainty and clear understanding. For God’s secret plan, now at last made known, is Christ himself. 3 In him lie hidden all the mighty, untapped treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The Way, Truth, Life John 14:1-7 (NLT) 1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” Resurrection and Life John 11:25 (NLT) 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Bread of Life John 6:35 (NLT) 35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. The Light John 8:12 (NLT) 12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” Good Shepherd John 10:8-10 (NLT) 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. The Vine - Source of Everything John 15:5-8 (NLT) 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, Redemption 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NKJV) 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “HE WHO GLORIES, LET HIM GLORY IN THE LORD.” Life’s Strength Psalms 73:25-26 (NKJV) 25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. 26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Our Peace Ephesians 2:14 (TLB) 14 For Christ himself is our way of peace. He has made peace between us Jews and you Gentiles by making us all one family, breaking down the wall of contempt that used to separate us. Life Colossians 3:1-4 (NLT) 1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. For Him to be, others cannot be Philippians 3:8-9 (NLT) 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. His voice is ever directing Isaiah 30:21 (NLT) 21 Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. Never without the Way Matthew 28:20 (TPT) 20 …And never forget that I am with you every day, even to the completion of this age.”