Say Goodbye to the Postmodern Jesus
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, but by me." John 14:5, 6, RSV.
Thomas may have had his faults, but at least he was honest. Again and again Jesus had told His followers what would soon take place. He had just finished explaining that He was going to the Father to prepare a place for them. And earlier He had noted that He had come from heaven and would be returning. Yet somehow they had not yet understood.
If they were confused as to His destination, they were doubly puzzled about the way to it. They still did not expect the path of the cross, even though Jesus had openly told them about His crucifixion several times. Here Jesus was at the end of His life and still the disciples were bewildered. They had been so blinded by their own view of truth that they could not understand His plain words. Fortunately one of their number was willing to open his mouth and express his doubts. He was too honest to wander in the dark without seeking clarification.
I say "fortunately," because in response to Thomas' question, Jesus provided the world with one of His greatest and most profound statements: "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." Later a wiser Peter will say much the same thing in Acts 4:12, in which he asserts that "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (RSV).
In effect, Jesus is saying to Thomas, "Since I am the truth, the life, and the way, follow Me and you will be OK. I am the only way to life eternal." The statement is plain enough, but, interestingly, it is violently rejected by many even in the church today who view it as arrogant, exclusive, and "unchristian." For them Jesus is just another man, like Muhammad or Buddha. The theory is that all religions lead to the same place. Such are the fruits of the eighteen-century Enlightenment having come to full fruition in postmodernism.
But even a cursory study indicates the uniqueness of Jesus and the fact that all religions are not heading to the same place or even in the same direction. Postmodernism has confused "bigheartedness" with the issue of truth.
When Jesus says He is the only way, He means it. And if we take His hand and follow his words and walk His life we will arrive at His heavenly destination.
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, but by me." John 14:5, 6, RSV.
Thomas may have had his faults, but at least he was honest. Again and again Jesus had told His followers what would soon take place. He had just finished explaining that He was going to the Father to prepare a place for them. And earlier He had noted that He had come from heaven and would be returning. Yet somehow they had not yet understood.
If they were confused as to His destination, they were doubly puzzled about the way to it. They still did not expect the path of the cross, even though Jesus had openly told them about His crucifixion several times. Here Jesus was at the end of His life and still the disciples were bewildered. They had been so blinded by their own view of truth that they could not understand His plain words. Fortunately one of their number was willing to open his mouth and express his doubts. He was too honest to wander in the dark without seeking clarification.
I say "fortunately," because in response to Thomas' question, Jesus provided the world with one of His greatest and most profound statements: "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." Later a wiser Peter will say much the same thing in Acts 4:12, in which he asserts that "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (RSV).
In effect, Jesus is saying to Thomas, "Since I am the truth, the life, and the way, follow Me and you will be OK. I am the only way to life eternal." The statement is plain enough, but, interestingly, it is violently rejected by many even in the church today who view it as arrogant, exclusive, and "unchristian." For them Jesus is just another man, like Muhammad or Buddha. The theory is that all religions lead to the same place. Such are the fruits of the eighteen-century Enlightenment having come to full fruition in postmodernism.
But even a cursory study indicates the uniqueness of Jesus and the fact that all religions are not heading to the same place or even in the same direction. Postmodernism has confused "bigheartedness" with the issue of truth.
When Jesus says He is the only way, He means it. And if we take His hand and follow his words and walk His life we will arrive at His heavenly destination.
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