How can we know the way?

This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Exclusivity) has turned into a discussion of farewell speeches from some of the biggies in the Old Testament and how they relate to Jesus' farewell discourse from John 13:31- 17:26.
That sure sounds high-filutin'.
"How can we know the way" text
"How can we know the way" podcast

Exclusivity?

This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc.org asks many questions without providing the answers.

What are we to do with John 14:6?

I’ve heard Bible scholars with all different kinds of opinions on this one. Should we simply throw it out and say, “Jesus didn’t really say that – those words were put into his mouth” or should we say, “The whole question of salvation is answered in that single statement—Jesus said 'You have to go through me – otherwise you’ve got no chance of heaven.'” Or is it something more like, “Jesus was talking to a small group of people and these words are part of a farewell speech to his closest followers. They aren’t meant to be taken as universal truth.”

• If we take the first statement, then what’s to keep us from doing that with any other uncomfortable statement of Jesus?
• If we take the second, then what does “except through me” really mean? Does it require an action on a person’s part or has Jesus opened the way for everyone – no action required?
• If we take the third one, then how do we decide which parts of the speech are universal and which ones are exclusive to a smaller group?

What wrestling do you do with John 14:1-14 overall? What joy do you find in it?