Which Path?
John Telgren


Marcus stumbled again and nearly fell over the edge. The cliff wasn't too terribly high, only about 20 feet, but still enough to really get hurt. It was starting to get dark and he was beginning to get scared. Those guys from the neighboring cabin had told him that he probably could back to his cabin another way that was shorter. He tried taking the route that seemed easier, but got lost. Every time he tried to backtrack to find another way around, he seemed to get lost even more. He began to hear the creatures of the night begin to make their noise and wake up. He began to panic and ran. It seemed like he was running forever when he stumbled on a stone and tumbled head long onto a rock-hard patch of ground. He hit his head and scraped his nose on the ground. He just lay there crumpled in a heap and began to weep. "Why, oh why did I try to go a different way?"

Suddenly he heard steps coming his way. He froze. He could feel his heart beating so hard that he was sure that whatever animal was headed his way would hear it. That's when he opened his eyes and noticed he was lying on a beaten path with a counselor headed toward him. "What are you doing out here?" He asked. "Uh, I was just trying to get back to my cabin!" He replied. "Well, you are a long, long way from the cabins," the counselor said firmly. "Why did you come all the way out here?" Marcus looked up at the counselor trying to find the right words to say. "Uh, I was trying to find a short cut, a better way." "Silly boy," replied the counselor, "There is only one way to the cabins. That one path is the only one that goes up there. Now, come on and let's get back there before it gets too late!"

No one would think of getting offended at the counselor's firm assertion that there is only "one" way. After all, if it is the truth, then that is what needs to be said. Jesus reminds us that there is only one way when he said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (Jn 14:6). Jesus didn't talk about "a" way to God, as if there were other ways. Jesus didn't point out the way to God. Jesus said that he himself is the only way to God. The way is a person, Jesus Christ. That is an exclusive claim that excludes Buddah, Mohammed, Hollywood, etc. Jesus is the one and only way. The world has fooled some Christians into thinking that this statement is somehow bigoted, backwards, and intolerant. This should be no surprise. Jesus said that the way that leads to destruction is broad and many are on it, and the way that leads to life is narrow and few are on it (Mt 7:13-14).

God's way is Jesus. He is our pathway, our road, our way to life. We follow in his footsteps and imitate his life, his faithfulness, his loyalty, his kindness, and his love. The Apostolic church in the book of Acts initially called themselves "the way." It was not "a" way, but "the" way of Christ. All other supposed "ways" will get you lost. Only one way leads to life. It is our mission to show people the true way articulately and clearly so that there is no misunderstanding.