Why Is Jesus the only way sef?

 

What makes Jesus so different, that he can claim to be the only path to God?

Imagine you find yourself trapped in a maze.

You don't know anything about the maze except you are inside it and you want out. As you stumble about the maze you come across 'Man A' who tells you not to worry, as there are many ways out of the maze. I imagine you would feel reassured and would appreciate hearing this good news.  

As you continue through the maze you come across 'Man B'. He contradicts Man A, and tells you there is only one way out of the maze. You would now be worried and disturbed, and motivated to try and find the exit. But in good news, Man B reassures you, telling you he knows the way out and he is willing to walk with you. 

Can everyone be right?

What you do know is that both guys can’t be telling the truth. There is either one exit or there are many. 

Man A’s news is easier to hear, but dangerous if not true. Man B's news is more difficult to hear, and if true can lead either to despair or motivation.

Man A is like the common worldview that there are many ways to heaven. This worldview says that truth varies from person to person and what is true for you, isn’t necessarily true for me. This worldview basically says 'pick a truth that suits you'. 

But does this idea that 'everything can be true' make any sense?

I will give you a simple example of why this idea actually doesn't work in reality: 

1. Atheists claim that there is no God.
2. Christians (and many others) claim there is a God.

Statement 1 & 2 can't both be true! If one of them is true, then the other is false. So, truth does exist. But how do we know it's found in Jesus?

How to know the Truth

I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the father except through me. (John 14:6)

Jesus is like Man B. He makes a bold claim that he is the only way to heaven. Jesus in this passage makes it clear he is 'the way'.

Not a way. The Way.

Everything rests on Jesus. He says he is the only way to the Father. He also reassures you he knows the way and is willing to walk with you. He is willing to walk you to the cross and show exactly how he will bring you back to him.  

How can Jesus claim to be the truth?

Jesus is the only figure who is both God and man, and the only one able to bridge the gap between us. His death and resurrection make Him the most remarkable figure in history, whose offer of salvation extends to all people.

It would be arrogant and untrue if I claimed that through me you would get to heaven. However, Jesus can claim this, as he is God. He has authority to claim this. If God created the world, life and heaven, then he is exactly who I want to tell me how to have eternal life.

He came into the world he created and took on the flesh of a man to save us forever. He was the only one who could have done it. This was God stepping into human history because God was the only one who could save us. He became human to pay the price of sin. He died for us and it meant everything because he had the power to forgive sins. I do not have that power. I would just be another man dying. What Jesus did on the cross was make an end to sin. Through trust in him, we can say sorry for our sins and be forgiven.

(Need convincing that Jesus really died and rose to life? Check out this article for more).

Why is this important?

There are many people who believe we can obtain salvation by other means. If salvation could be found in other things - anything other than Jesus - then there would have been no reason for Jesus to die. But he was the only person who could pay the price for sin, because he was sinless and took it upon himself.

This is the ultimate love, the powerful truth and our incredible life changing news!

What is truth? Jesus is.