How Can We Know The Way? - Your Daily Forward Devotional

How Can We Know The Way?

March 27

Read John 14:5-7 (ESV)

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not 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. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Reflect

Considering today’s passage, how would you respond to someone who says that all paths lead to God?

If you asked popular culture how to get to God, most would probably say that it doesn’t really matter because in the end, all religions are basically the same and all paths ultimately lead to God (that is, if they acknowledge that there is a God). Singer Madonna was quoted in the Irish Independent in 2015 saying: "I don't affiliate myself with any specific religious group. I connect to different ritualistic aspects of different belief systems, and I see the connecting thread between all religious beliefs."

The Dalai Lama has said something similar: “All religions are essentially the same in their goal of developing a good human heart so that we may become better human beings.”

It is really popular to claim that all religions are basically the same even though most religions completely contradict because no one wants to be exclusive. But how can all religions be true when they oppose each other? The same goes for the claim that all roads lead to God. It’s not very popular to claim that there’s only one way to God and only one way to be saved so we resort to really bad logic and really poor theology in an effort to make everyone feel included.

But when we go back to the Bible and consult Jesus instead of Madonna, the Dalai Lama, or anyone else, we learn that Jesus wasn’t afraid to be exclusive. He spoke the truth in love, no matter what. When we left off last week, Jesus had just told His disciples that He was leaving them and that they couldn’t follow Him. At least not right away. But He promised them that He was going to prepare a place for them and that someday, they would be where He is. In John 14:4, He assured them that they knew the way to where He was going.

Today we read that Thomas asked the question most of them were probably thinking. How can we know the way if we don’t even know where He is going? And Jesus answered with very simple, easy to remember directions. He is the way. He is the truth. He is the life. He is heading back to the Father (He already told us that in John 14:2-3) and if anyone wants to go to the Father too, they have to go through Him.

Remember when Jesus said He is the door in John 10:7, 9? “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door to the sheep…I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and go in and out and find pasture.” He wasn’t one of the ways to eternal green pastures. He is the only way. He is the way to the Father, not a way to the Father.

But doesn’t that make God exclusive? Well, yes, in the sense that there is only one way to God and only one true faith. All other religions are false and do not lead to eternal life with the Lord. But God is inclusive in the sense that everyone is invited to come to Jesus. In John 5:24: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

You see, Jesus’ invitation is addressed to “whoever hears my word and believes.” Anyone can choose to accept His gift of salvation and put their faith in Him. But unfortunately, many will not choose to accept His open invitation. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Even though all are invited to repent and receive the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38) many will ignore it or outright reject it.

But we do know the way to be saved! We do know the way to God. God revealed the way to us—His only Son, the only Way, the only Truth, the only Life. Have you accepted His open invitation? Have you entered through the Door?

Respond

Lord Jesus, I believe that You are the only way to the Father and that faith in You is the only true faith. I have put my trust in You—the Door and the Narrow Gate. I know that by following You, I will get to the Father and because I know You, I know Him as well. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

Reveal: As followers of Christ, it is our job to extend Jesus’ invitation of salvation to others. Tell someone else the only way to get to God today.

~ Pastor Nat Crawford