Jesus is the way

When I began to follow the path of Christ, my friends weren't happy about it. They argued that all religions lead to the same God and cited the example of mountaineers who choose different routes and yet still reach the summit. Jesus himself said there is only one way: “Where I am going, you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don't 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.” (Joh 14,4-6).

My friends were right when they said that there are many religions, but when it comes to seeking the one true, almighty God, there is only one way. In the Letter to the Hebrews, we read of a new and living way into the sanctuary: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, because we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, through the sacrifice of his body.” (Hebräer 10,19-20).

The Word of God reveals that there is a wrong way: “A certain way may seem right to some, but in the end it leads to death.” (Spr 14,12)God tells us to forsake our ways: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Jes 55,8-9).

At first, I had very little understanding of Christianity because many of its followers do not reflect the way of life of Christ. The Apostle Paul described Christianity as the way: "But I confess to you that I serve the God of my fathers according to the way they call a sect, believing everything that is written in the Law and the Prophets." (Apg 24,14).

Paul was on his way to Damascus to put in chains those who followed his path. The tables were turned, for Saul was blinded by Jesus on the way and lost his sight. When Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit, it was as if scales fell from his eyes. He regained his sight and began to preach the path he had hated, proving that Jesus was the Messiah. “Immediately he began preaching in the synagogues about Jesus, that he was the Son of God.” (Apg 9,20)The Jews therefore planned to kill him, but God spared his life.

What are the consequences of walking in the path of Christ? Peter exhorts us to follow in Jesus' footsteps and to learn from him to be gentle and humble: "If you suffer and endure because you do good, this is grace in the eyes of God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." (1.Petrus 2,20-21).

Thank God the Father for showing you the way of salvation through Jesus Christ, because Jesus is the only way, trust him!

by Natu Moti