[Jesus said] “You know the way to where I am going.” 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 except through me.” (John 14:4-6)

What would you say is the most offensive word in the Bible? We could debate, but I’m going to suggest it’s the word “the.” Just think about it. In John 14:6, if Jesus had said, “I am a way,” our lives would be much easier at certain times. But he didn’t. He tells us that he is the way, thetruth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus.

Our world perceives this proclamation as prejudice – the bigotry of exclusivity. And, indeed, it is – unless it’s true!

If Jesus is one of many paths to God, and we are so arrogant as to exclude the other paths, then that’s offensive pride. But, if Jesus is the path to God — and we proclaim it to friends, family, enemies, and everyone — then that is selfless love.

If there is only one safe exit from a burning theatre, then it is not unkind to point away from the other exits and say, “This is the way.”

All other religious solutions tell people to get to God by measuring up to some standard of goodness or reaching some state of consciousness. Jesus alone taught that we could not reach to God, so he mercifully reached to us through his Son.

Since he is the way that God provides, love demands that we not pretend there are other ways but proclaim him as the One to put your faith in.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to love others enough to share Jesus as the way to God, confessing humbly that without him I also would have no path to you and no hope of heaven.