Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Birth of the Savior
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (6)
Most of us have seen a tightrope walker at a circus. A tightrope
walker walks across a wire that is stretched high in the air with just a pole
to balance him. Well, there was once a tightrope walker that decided to go
across Niagara Falls with a wheelbarrow to balance him. As he put his wire
across the falls, a crowd gathered. They waited breathlessly as he walked
slowly across the wire pushing the wheelbarrow. When he reached the other side,
the crowd cheered. He then turned to the crowd and asked, “Do you think I can
make it back across?” They all said, “Yes!” He asked again, “Do you really
believe I can?” They answered, “We just saw you go across. Of course you can!”
The tightrope walker then said, “Then get into the wheelbarrow and go with me.”
This incident reminds us of Jesus’ life and ministry on earth. During various
points of his life, he met different people from different walks of life who
asked him questions. From the Samaritan woman, to the blind man who sat by the
road, to the crippled man who sat by the pond, and finally to the thief on the
cross, they all asked: “Which way should we go?” We see in all these instances
that Jesus’ answer to this question was the same: “I am the way.”
There is an old saying – “All roads lead to Rome.”
Maybe that was true in the ancient world, but today you can get lost anywhere!
Sometimes our navigation systems, maps, past experiences, or any route
suggestions from previous travelers may fail us in reaching our destination.
Roadblocks, such as sin, can also keep us from reaching God. But God has
provided us a map – the Bible.
The disciples never had to ask Jesus where they should go
next. They simply looked to see where Jesus was going and stayed close to him.
Jesus was their “Way.” They didn’t need a map as long as they had
Jesus. Jesus did not say, “I am one of many roads to God.” Jesus
clearly proclaimed that he is the only way to God the Father, to heaven, and
eternal life. He is the truth of the gospel. He is the Messiah, the Promised
One. Christ came from heaven to pay the price for our sins and to show us the
way we need to travel along life’s faith journey. If you want to know God’s
way, take time to cultivate your relationship with Jesus and learn to identify
his voice. He is more than willing to show you the way. Let us remember
that Christmas is time to renew our relationship with our Savior so that we can
traverse the path that will lead us to our Heavenly Father.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for leaving heaven to take on flesh and die as a
sacrifice on the cross. Thank you for providing the way to the Father. We are
forever thankful. In your name we pray. Amen.
Thought
for the Day: Follow Christ and never be lost.
Neethi
Prasad, St. Stephen’s Mar Thoma Church, New Jersey