| About Jesus |
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The claims that Jesus Christ made as he walked around on this earth were broad and varied. He claimed, for instance, that he could give eternal life (see John 4:13). he also claimed that he came to earth to free the oppressed, heal the sick and make the lame walk again (see Luke 4:17-20). A claim he verified throughout the rest of his life; his ultimate expression of giving freedom being his own death on a cross and his resurrection three days later! But perhaps the claim of Jesus Christ that presents the biggest challenge to our thinking today is in John 14:6, where he says "I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father but by me!" In a world where attitudes of rigidity are scorned and where people are expected to choose their own options in life, what can we make of such a claim by Christ? Jesus is saying in effect, "if you don't acknowledge me, you can't get into the presence of God - heaven will not be yours." In a world where open-mindedness is heralded as the greatest asset you could possess, what are we to do with such a seemingly narrow-minded view... a perspective from this man who claimed to be God? Most of us would make the assumption that, in this statement, Jesus is excluding a whole lot of people from entry into heaven. I happen to think, however, that Jesus meant this to be an inclusive, rather than an exclusive statement. Follow my thoughts here for a moment longer. When Jesus makes this statement He is actually answering a question from one of his 12, one of his crew if you like, someone close to him. Jesus had said to the 12 of them, "I am going to a place and will take you there with me. You already know the way to where it is." Thomas then asks him, "we don't even know where you are going, how can we know the way?" It seems like a logical question to me. Jesus then answers "I am the way, the truth and the life." The whole conversation that Jesus is having with His disciples centres round Jesus being this thing called "The Way"; the way to a place we know as heaven. So what has truth got to do with it? This is a cruncher for our world. Often truth is seen as relative. Jesus radically changes that concept and says "actually I embody truth; and life as well, without me there is no truth or life." Many Christians today will claim to have truth, that is not the point here. Rather Jesus is saying "I am The Truth and The Life, if you just trust Me for that then I will be the way for you to come to God." Factor into this one more thing. Jesus was talking to His friends, people in relationship with Him. They are the ones who He is going to be the way for. The option of being in relationship with Jesus is open to everyone and anyone (see John 3:16); this understanding makes this statement of Jesus' all inclusive! The whole purpose of Jesus' life is to be the way for all people to wholeness and life with God. He doesn't force this option on some people, rather He freely offers it to anyone! At the end of the day you choose who you have relationship with. By David Wells [Soul Purpose]If you would like to know more or chat with someone about faith, please contact us . |