Week 3 Thursday — Walking with the Word
Thursday: The Way to Your Portion
Introduction
Yesterday, the psalmist declared, “The LORD is my portion.” We saw that this isn’t a fraction of God, but the totality of Him, full access to an inexhaustible supply of His love, mercy, and grace. It’s our inheritance as children of God.
But how do we access this portion? How do we draw near to God and receive all that He offers? The psalmist lived with longing, waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promises. He hastened to obey, he worshiped at midnight, he made God his companion but the veil still stood between him and the Holy of Holies.
Today we turn to Jesus’s words on the night before His crucifixion. The disciples are confused and afraid. Jesus is leaving. Thomas asks the question that echoes through every generation: “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
Jesus’s answer changes everything. He doesn’t give directions. He gives Himself.
Scripture
⁵Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” ⁶Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
— John 14:5-6 (ESV)
¹⁹Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, ²¹and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²²let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
— Hebrews 10:19-23 (ESV)
Reflection
Jesus Is the Way
Thomas is looking for directions, a map, a route to follow. But Jesus responds with something far more profound: “I am the way.” Not “I will show you the way” or “I will teach you the way.” I am the way.
This is the fulfillment of everything the psalmist longed for. When he declared “The LORD is my portion,” he was expressing his satisfaction in God. But he still lived under the old covenant, where access to God’s presence was limited—only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year. The psalmist could hasten to obey, but he couldn’t hasten into God’s presence.
Jesus changes everything. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Faith in Jesus and His work on the cross shatters the barrier of sin. His resurrection eliminates death, blasting open the road to eternal life. He is indeed “the narrow way that leads to life” (Matthew 7:14).
The destination Jesus speaks of isn’t a place. It’s a Person, the Father. And the way to that destination is also a Person, Jesus, the Son of God. He made a way that we can access our portion. He is how we draw upon the inexhaustible supply of God’s love, mercy, and grace.
Confidence to Draw Near
The writer of Hebrews shows us what Jesus’s sacrifice accomplished: “We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh” (vv. 19-20).
The curtain that separated humanity from God’s presence has been torn. Not gradually. Not partially. Completely. When Jesus died, the temple veil was ripped from top to bottom—torn by God Himself—opening the way for us to enter His presence.
This is the portion the psalmist declared as his own, now fully accessible for us through Christ. We don’t approach God hesitantly, hoping we’re worthy. We approach with confidence. Not because of our righteousness, but because of Jesus’ finished work.
Draw Near and Hold Fast
Because of what Jesus has done, we’re given two commands:
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (v. 22). The psalmist hastened to obey God’s commandments. We’re called to hasten into God’s presence. Draw near. Don’t stand at a distance. Don’t hesitate. You have full access to your portion through Jesus.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” (v. 23). The psalmist said, “The LORD is my portion.” We echo that confession, but now with even greater assurance. We hold fast, not because we’re strong, but “because he who promised is faithful.”
That God even provided a way is a miracle in itself, evidence of His great love, mercy, and compassion. Jesus is not one way among many. He is the only way because He is the only One who could tear the veil, defeat death, and open access to the Father.
The psalmist was satisfied with God as his portion. We have even more reason to be satisfied because through Jesus, we can draw near with confidence and receive the totality of God Himself.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” — This is the way.
Prayer Prompts
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for being the way to the Father. Thank You that I don’t have to wonder how to access God or earn my way into His presence. You tore the veil. You opened the way. You are the way. Forgive me for the times I’ve approached You hesitantly, as if I’m not fully welcome. Today, I draw near with confidence. Not because of my worthiness, but because of Your finished work. You are my portion. All of You. An inexhaustible supply of love, mercy, and grace. Help me hold fast to this confession without wavering, because You who promised are faithful. Amen.
Response
Reflect on these questions today:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Do you truly believe Jesus is the only way to the Father, or do you hedge that belief to be culturally acceptable? If you fully believed this, what would be different in how you talk about your faith with others?
“We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.” Do you approach God with confidence or hesitation? What would it look like today to draw near with “full assurance of faith,” knowing you have complete access to your portion through Christ?
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.” The psalmist declared “The LORD is my portion” and hastened to obey. What does it look like for you to hold fast to that same confession today? That God Himself is your inheritance and satisfaction. Where might you be wavering, and how can you renew your confidence in His faithfulness?