Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Birth of the Savior
John 14:1-7


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


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