John: I AM...the Way

I am the Way… [John 14:6 NAS]

I was born with absolutely no sense of direction.  As the old joke goes, I must have been behind the door when that skill was handed out.  If I am going to attempt to go somewhere, I always obtain finely-detailed, indisputable directions.  Of course, there is always the helpful soul who says, “Just follow me.  I’ll take you right there,” then takes off like a shot, leaving me in a cloud of exhaust fumes. My children think it is amazing that I am able to get anywhere.   I’m really not too bad with a map or an excellent set of directions, but nothing compares to having a friend make the trip with me – so that I can relax and drive, while my friend studies the directions/map and tells me how to get where we are going. 

In 1978, Morris Venden wrote a wonderful book, Salvation by Faith and Your Will.  The first chapter is a fascinating parable about a Christian and Jesus meeting up on the road to heaven.  The Christian picks up Jesus from the roadside, and He immediately offers to drive.  The car is new and the Christian is dubious about this stranger, so he declines the offer.  A few miles later, he is almost rundown by a semi, shooting across all lanes of traffic, and ending up on the opposite side of the road.  Jesus quietly offers to drive.  The Christian again declines.

Several more mishaps later, finalizing in a jarring roar into the ditch, the Christian is banged-up, bewildered and exhausted.  Jesus places a comforting hand on his shoulder and offers to drive.  The Christian finally accepts, and as Jesus edges the car back into traffic, they steadily begin to make progress toward the beautiful city on the horizon.

Jesus is the Way.  He is not here to find the way, to make a way, or to point out the way, He is the way.  He will never grab the wheel, nor shove you out of the driver’s seat.  He waits for your invitation.  Are you ready?

Here, O Lord, Your servants gather, hand we link with hand;

Looking toward our Savior’s cross, joined in love we stand.

As we seek the realm of God, we unite to pray:

Jesus, Savior, guide our steps, for You are the Way.