How Jesus is both the way and the destination

Jesus said that he was "the way," but that also he was the "truth and the life." It is a deep and profound mystery that many have meditated on.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus responds to a question from St. Thomas about finding “the way.”

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him.”
John 14:5-7

The way and the destination

St. Thomas Aquinas reflected on this passage in his Exposition on John, looking at how Jesus can be both the way and the goal or destination:

Christ himself is the way, and therefore he says: I am the way. This certainly is eminently right for through him we have access to the Father.
Since this way is not separate from its end, but joined to it, he adds the truth and the life;thus he is himself at once both the way and the goal. In his human nature he is the way, and in his divine nature he is the goal. Therefore, speaking as man he says: I am the way; and speaking as God he adds: the truth and the life. These two words are an apt description of this goal.

St. Thomas Aquinas continues his reflection, expanding on this idea:

For this goal is the object of human desire, and a man desires two things above all. In the first place he wants to know the truth, which is peculiar to him; and secondly he wants to continue to exist, which is common to all things. Christ is the way by which we come to know truth, though he is also that truth: Lead me, O Lord, in truth, and I shall enter into your way.Christ is also the way to come to life, though he is also that life: You have made known the ways of life.

In St. Thomas’ mind, it makes sense that Jesus is both the way and the goal, as he “is” truth and life itself:

If you are looking for a goal, hold fast to Christ, because he himself is the truth, where we desire to be. My mouth shall reflect on the truth. If you are looking for a resting place, hold fast to Christ, because he himself is the life.Whoever finds me finds life, and receives salvation from the Lord.

Jesus is both the road and the end goal. If we desire to reach God, we must do so through Jesus.