Christianity claims that there is only one way to God. And
that has become a problem.
Let’s look at the offending words in the Bible. Jesus is
speaking and says ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me.’
There it is. Black and white. No room for manoeuvre on that
one.
It looks offensive, arrogant even. And as a Christian, it’s
one of the main challenges I get from those of other faiths or of no faith.
But there is another scripture I need to highlight. Jesus is
speaking again: ‘the one who seeks finds.’
That’s clear too.
And it’s the key to this particular riddle. Yes, Jesus is
exclusively the way to God. But yes, everyone can find Him.
The claims of Christianity would indeed be arrogant were
they to be claimed as some secret way achievable only to a few (in much the
same way as a secret society might claim). But the opposite is true. He is
there for all and if you seek Him you will find Him.
If you’re reading this with doubt as to whether this is
true, let me encourage you to carry out a little experiment over Christmas.
Read Mark’s Gospel. It’s the second book in the New Testament and it’s the
shortest and easiest to read of the gospels.
As you read, start with a prayer, asking Jesus to reveal
Himself to you. He will. That’s His promise.
Now back to the problems Christians face today. Certainties
are offensive in today’s post-modern world. The dear old BBC avoids Christian content
and promotes alternative values. It’s uncool to have values that appear to be certain.
Live and let live. Don’t claim to know the truth.
But that’s what I do claim. Not built upon my own knowledge
but on the basis of what the Bible says.
For centuries the views I have expressed above have been the
foundation stones of our nation. It is a comparatively recent phenomenon to
accuse Christianity of being offensive and arrogant because of the certainty of
its beliefs.
It’s Christmas, a time for carols. This is one of my
favourites:
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you
Wonderful words. And not just for Mary of course. For all of
us.
There is only one
way. And it’s not arrogant to say that. Because that’s not the end of the
story. Thankfully, there is life for all. That baby boy grew up, lived, died,
rose again and offers us new life.
All who seek Him will
find Him.