Jesus Is the Way
The way of life is a figure that appears many times in the Bible. In Genesis we read in the opening chapters that apart from the tree of knowledge, there was another tree in the Garden of Eden, one that could give eternal life to those who ate its fruits. This is a symbol of the immortality that God will give in future. But when God drove Adam and Eve from Eden because of their sin, the way to this tree was closed lest they should return to eat of it, and become immortal sinners. So He (God) drove out the man, and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life (Genesis 3:24).
There was only one way back to God’s presence and that was closed, but the work of Jesus Christ opened the way for those who desire to seek God. The apostles, after Jesus rose from the dead, preached, “There is no other way of salvation except through Jesus’ name, neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none, other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6). “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink” (John 7:37). Men wander in the desert to find water where there is none, but God has opened a fountain and the invitation has been given, “Everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.” Sadly, most people in their pride will not humble themselves and they wander forth to die. Which road should we take? The Bible often pictures life as a journey in which we must choose the road we will travel. We should, brother and sister, be careful because, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 16:25).
Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). How can we see which way to take? Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness” (John 8:12 NIV). Jesus is also the way - all who enter by that gate and follow this way, come to the city prepared by God Himself. There is no way apart from him. Those who think there is another way are mistaken. Christ is the answer to everything. Away from him, there is speculation and falsehood. Men will seek in vain to draw water from other fountains.
We know the truth of the Bible teaching that man is mortal; the life that he possesses disappears once he dies, and decomposes and is no more. How can renewal of life be obtained? By belief and baptism into Christ is the way, and Jesus declared, “If you had known me, ye should have known my Father also” (John 14:7).
Brothers and sisters, this is proof enough for us, that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father. Let us follow that way.
Life of Jesus
“Two thousand years later we find ourselves in their place, the Disciples of Jesus: loving the Lord they loved, serving the Lord they served. The world has changed strangely since their time, but the Gospel has not changed, nor has the commission.
“Where they failed, we find ourselves slipping. In the fountain of their strength we find the source of ours: the words of love that sustained and comforted them bring us peace and joy. As throughout their troubled lives they looked beyond to the final glory, so we echo their words, ‘Even so, come, Lord Jesus’. And while we watch and pray, we hear, as they did, the words of our Lord, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’” | Bro Melva Purkis
Bro Green Mumbelunga (Ndola, Zambia)
