A good storyteller winds around, making you wonder where the punch will land. Your interest captured, you anticipate whatever ending may come. Jesus told stories that made people think, like one about a good Samaritan, or another about a prodigal son.

But sometimes Jesus cut straight to the point. He responded to a question from Thomas, one of his disciples, without equivocation: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus did not stutter. A few minutes later he added, Whoever has seen me has seen the Father, and I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Jesus clearly stated his position. He and God the Father are one, bound together as part of the divine Trinity with the Holy Spirit.

Outside of Jesus, there is no other way to get to God. No other religion, no matter how devout. No other teacher, no matter how kind. No other philosophy, no matter how wise. Not a life of good works, no matter how long the list of virtuous deeds accomplished.

Many paths lead to the base of the mountain. All religions point in some manner to a higher power and reveal mankind’s need for the transcendent. But only one person clears the way to the summit. Only one is the way and the truth and the life.

Say yes to Jesus. Accept him, believe in him, live by his teachings and form your life around following him. Invite others to join you on this journey. Rest in knowing that you’ve cut straight to the point and taken hold of the most true thing in the universe.

John 14:6

Photo by Aleksey Nikitin