The Audacity of One Way

If you are not a Christian, what do you think of the claim that Christianity is the only true path to God? Maybe it makes you angry. Perhaps it seems arrogant. But do you understand why Christians make this allegation? Even if you disagree, can you see our rationale?

We hold this view because of our high view of Jesus. The apostle John in his account of Jesus' life includes this quote of Jesus: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He said this at the last supper before he was crucified. He was celebrating the passover feast with his twelve apostles. You've probably seen this portrayed in Leonardo Da Vinci's famous painting. After Jesus had got up during the meal and washed his disciples feet as an example of how they are to love and serve others, he told them that one of them was going to betray him and that He was returning to the Father where he had originally come from. One of his disciples wanted to know how they could follow him to the Father. This is when Jesus claimed that it was only through him.

What did Jesus mean when he said this? Throughout his time on earth, he always claimed a unique relationship with God the Father. First, he claimed that he was with the Father before the world began. He claimed the He was one with the Father. He claimed he was set apart and was sent into the world by the Father. He claimed that the Father had given him alone all things and that he had the authority to give eternal life, forgive sins, raise the dead, judge all creation. In short he claimed to be God's own eternal Son. He claimed that his whole mission in coming to earth was to give his life as a sin offering, perfectly holy and unblemished, for the sins of the world and that no one who believed and trusted him would ever be condemned. The numerous miracles that he performed, including rising from the dead, was his proof that he spoke the truth.

So, if Jesus is indeed telling the truth, then it is easy to understand why he is the one way. If he was indeed sent into the world with the purpose of reconciling the world, then God must have meant that this was the way to enter into eternal life. After all, there is no one else who has come close to comparing with the amazing Christ--No religious person, no spiritual leader, no earthly ruler. Who can compare to him? Who made the claims he made? Who performed the multitude of miracles he did? Who was ever born of a virgin? Who ever overcame death? Whoever had the pure moral character he did?

We believe Jesus is the one way to God, because we believe Jesus. We believe what he said. We believe what he did. We believe he spoke the truth. We believe he was not dishonest or confused or derragned. The life he lived doesn't even hint at this. We believe the testimony of Christ handed down to us. History confirms it. How could he not be the only way?