Via, veritas, vita – The motto of the University of Glasgow

There is a fascinating online account of the legend depicted in the coat of arms of Glasgow University. While it goes into some detail on the possible story behind the coat of arms, it makes just a passing mention of the motto Via, veritas, vita (The way, the truth and the life) These are interesting and important words which come not from the legend of St Mungo but from the Bible, which Christians believe is the word of God. They can be read in context in the fourth book of the New Testament part of the Bible, called John, at chapter 14 verse 6.

They come as the answer the Lord Jesus gave to Thomas, one of His disciples, who asked:

“Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

Jesus replied “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

He continued “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

So Jesus is speaking of the way to the Father, to God, the way to heaven.

We might be taken aback at the assertion that the way is in fact a person, but this is the good news of the Bible: there is a way for mortals to have their sins forgiven and be sure of heaven. It’s important to note that the Lord Jesus said I am the way. The most inclusive message on earth, the offer of forgiveness to all who are willing to take God’s way, requires us to admit that there is no other way and to trust the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

Jesus not only claimed to be the way but also the truth. How refreshing in days of elastic and ambiguous values and vocabulary to know that absolute truth does exist. Jesus is the embodiment of truth and it’s possible to know Him personally. This personal knowledge comes by God’s grace, for we don’t deserve it. It comes through faith. We read in the Bible:

“For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” (The Bible, Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8)

Jesus said to Jews who believed Him:

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (The Bible, John chapter 8 verse 32)

In a world that seeks all kinds of freedom, the promise of freedom is for those who trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Likewise Jesus claims to be the life. Here is the promise of Jesus for His disciples:

“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (The Bible, John chapter 10 verse 28.

These are truly amazing promises given by the Saviour and encapsulated in this wonderful motto of a great university. The personal challenge is that the promises apply only to those who trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour – the way, the truth and the life