You’re trapped in a building that is engulfed in flames. The windows are barred, and the exits are blocked by raging fire. You run to the upper floors, but all access to the outside world is denied. You find one window to the outside, but the floor around it is caving in. What’s more, it is five flights up; thus, even if you could jump from that window, you would almost certainly perish.
As you run back and forth, looking for an escape, a man dressed in white steps forward and offers to help. He is calm and confident as he reaches out and tells you to follow him. At first, you’re not quite sure what to do. But, his response is reassuring. “This way,” he says. “Follow me to the only exit.”
At that point, someone objects, confronting the man accusingly: “Who put you in charge?” he asks. “How do you know there is only one way out of the building?” Then, a slightly more composed man chimes in: “Relax,” he says, trying to calm the gathering crowd. “After all,” he continues, “this man in white might be an okay guy. He might even know a way out. But let’s also respect the fact that there are surely other equally valid escape routes.”
As time passes, people are running to and fro. Some are afraid, but most are fairly confident that they’ll find a way out. Indeed, many “experts” offer their advice, assuring everyone that there are numerous avenues out of the burning building.
Though you are somewhat hesitant, you decide to follow the man in white. As a result, you discover that there really is a way to safety. Indeed, as you approach the only sure exit, you invite others to accompany you. Thankfully, some do. But others are too stubborn to even allow for the possibility that one man dressed in white is the only sure guide.
When all is said and done, a good number of people escape the building. Beyond that, a small number actually make it to that fifth story window and jump to safety; amazingly, fire fighters there are able to catch them. Surprisingly, some others escape through a side wall that collapses due to the intensity of the fire. Many others, however, are trapped and unwilling to follow the man who offers a way out of the blaze.
All of this reminds me of the issues related to human salvation and the exclusive claims of Jesus. He himself said it: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus, in other words, is stating that he is the only Savior. Of course his words are more than a claim to exclusivity, for they also contain the promise of rescue and an invitation to hope. In other words, Jesus makes his claims not simply to brag about his superiority but to offer his assistance. Jesus isn’t so much trying to outmatch his competitors (though he could) as he is offering his help. Jesus as the only way to God is not intended to be an arrogant assumption foisted on people in order to lock them out of the kingdom and (proudly?) “show them” them how right we are. Rather, it is a sincere and valid assertion that there truly is hope for any and all who will embrace him.
In a world of many false options, there is a true one. Amid a plethora of dark alleyways, there is a bright path. Among countless pretenders, there is “the real deal.” In the world there are many well-meaning people, who proffer their services, and some of these are helpful. But there is only one perfect servant of God, who has the credentials and the authority to get things done.
In our pluralistic world, many are curious about the destiny of those who have never heard the gospel or who are members of non-Christian religions. Like we observed in the story above, it may be that God allows certain walls to crumble in order to provide a way of escape for some. Likewise, a gracious God just might allow some to jump from the fifth floor into a safety net. Personally, I hope and pray this is the case. Indeed, I would love to find out that many have escaped through a passage in the basement or by some back door. I hope, in other words, that God rescues many who never heard his name pronounced or who are entangled in various unhealthy belief systems. If that occurs–and I have a measure of optimism that it does!–all we need to realize is that the man in white is the one ultimately responsible for anyone’s rescue. He is the one holding the safety net, even if those who jump into it are unaware of the fact. Furthermore, he is the one who knocks down walls to provide a way of escape, even when no one notices that he is the hero in the story.
Still, for all of our hope in these potentially alternate routes, what we do know is that the man dressed in white offers a sure way out. He is the only Savior and our best friend.
Who knows what God might be up to in this strange and complicated world? After all, many things defy our comprehension, and countless questions remain. But, as we ask our questions and wonder how it all works out, we can at least grasp one thing confidently. The man dressed in white is compassionately and sincerely leading us to safety. The man in white knows the way. Indeed, he is the way. We’d be wise to follow.
As you run back and forth, looking for an escape, a man dressed in white steps forward and offers to help. He is calm and confident as he reaches out and tells you to follow him. At first, you’re not quite sure what to do. But, his response is reassuring. “This way,” he says. “Follow me to the only exit.”
At that point, someone objects, confronting the man accusingly: “Who put you in charge?” he asks. “How do you know there is only one way out of the building?” Then, a slightly more composed man chimes in: “Relax,” he says, trying to calm the gathering crowd. “After all,” he continues, “this man in white might be an okay guy. He might even know a way out. But let’s also respect the fact that there are surely other equally valid escape routes.”
As time passes, people are running to and fro. Some are afraid, but most are fairly confident that they’ll find a way out. Indeed, many “experts” offer their advice, assuring everyone that there are numerous avenues out of the burning building.
Though you are somewhat hesitant, you decide to follow the man in white. As a result, you discover that there really is a way to safety. Indeed, as you approach the only sure exit, you invite others to accompany you. Thankfully, some do. But others are too stubborn to even allow for the possibility that one man dressed in white is the only sure guide.
When all is said and done, a good number of people escape the building. Beyond that, a small number actually make it to that fifth story window and jump to safety; amazingly, fire fighters there are able to catch them. Surprisingly, some others escape through a side wall that collapses due to the intensity of the fire. Many others, however, are trapped and unwilling to follow the man who offers a way out of the blaze.
All of this reminds me of the issues related to human salvation and the exclusive claims of Jesus. He himself said it: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus, in other words, is stating that he is the only Savior. Of course his words are more than a claim to exclusivity, for they also contain the promise of rescue and an invitation to hope. In other words, Jesus makes his claims not simply to brag about his superiority but to offer his assistance. Jesus isn’t so much trying to outmatch his competitors (though he could) as he is offering his help. Jesus as the only way to God is not intended to be an arrogant assumption foisted on people in order to lock them out of the kingdom and (proudly?) “show them” them how right we are. Rather, it is a sincere and valid assertion that there truly is hope for any and all who will embrace him.
In a world of many false options, there is a true one. Amid a plethora of dark alleyways, there is a bright path. Among countless pretenders, there is “the real deal.” In the world there are many well-meaning people, who proffer their services, and some of these are helpful. But there is only one perfect servant of God, who has the credentials and the authority to get things done.
In our pluralistic world, many are curious about the destiny of those who have never heard the gospel or who are members of non-Christian religions. Like we observed in the story above, it may be that God allows certain walls to crumble in order to provide a way of escape for some. Likewise, a gracious God just might allow some to jump from the fifth floor into a safety net. Personally, I hope and pray this is the case. Indeed, I would love to find out that many have escaped through a passage in the basement or by some back door. I hope, in other words, that God rescues many who never heard his name pronounced or who are entangled in various unhealthy belief systems. If that occurs–and I have a measure of optimism that it does!–all we need to realize is that the man in white is the one ultimately responsible for anyone’s rescue. He is the one holding the safety net, even if those who jump into it are unaware of the fact. Furthermore, he is the one who knocks down walls to provide a way of escape, even when no one notices that he is the hero in the story.
Still, for all of our hope in these potentially alternate routes, what we do know is that the man dressed in white offers a sure way out. He is the only Savior and our best friend.
Who knows what God might be up to in this strange and complicated world? After all, many things defy our comprehension, and countless questions remain. But, as we ask our questions and wonder how it all works out, we can at least grasp one thing confidently. The man dressed in white is compassionately and sincerely leading us to safety. The man in white knows the way. Indeed, he is the way. We’d be wise to follow.
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