The Way, The Truth and the Life

One of the best commentaries on John 14:6 is that of Thomas a Kempis's Imitation of Christ.

Follow thou me. I am the way and the truth and the life. Without the way there is no going; without the truth there is no knowing; without the life there is no living. I am the way which thou must follow; the truth that thou must believe; the life that thou must hope. I am the inviolable way; the sovereign truth; life true, life blessed, life uncreated. If thou remain in my way thou shalt know the truth, and the truth shall make thee free, and thou shalt lay hold on eternal life.

[Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, 56.1]

It has also inspired many other memorable compositions. The one below is delightful.

Without the Fire, There is No Burning
Without the Fire, there is no Burning,
without the Teacher, there's no Learning,
without the the Shepherd, no safe Keeping,
without the Sower, there's no Reaping.

Without the Judge, there is no Pleading,
without the Bread, no heav'nly Feeding,
without the Vine, no holy Drinking,
without the Mind, no Christly Thinking.

Without the Way, there is no Going,
without the Truth, no inward Knowing,
without the Life, there is no Living.
Without the Cross, no full Forgiving.

Without the Grave, no Resurrecting,
without the Light, no Love's Reflecting,
without the Vision, no clear Dreaming,
without the Savior, no Redeeming.

Text: Rae E. Whitney, based on a few line by Thomas á Kempis,
© 1991 Selah Publishing Co., Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa., 15227.

May you be led to know Christ more deeply.