Did Jesus Really Say That?

Don Barkley—

Don, did Jesus really say that He was the only way, and that there’s no other way to God?

Yes. He said He was the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him. Jesus even called Himself the door that we have go through to get to God.

How can that be true if there are so many other religions?

It is surprisingly narrow, isn’t it?

Yes, it is.

I am thinking that your real problem with what Jesus said isn’t with its narrowness.

What do you mean?

Well, where do you work?

A software company.

Is there some sort of security clearance necessary to enter?

Yes, I use a key fob.

And the key fob shows that you have been granted the right to enter the doors by those who own the business. Otherwise, you couldn’t get in, right?

Right.

Doors are like that. They’re narrow and they aren’t open to everyone. How many doors in your own neighborhood are open to you?

Hmm. One.

Right, your own. And that’s okay. There are some famous doors of the world that are shut to us—like at No. 10 Downing Street or the White House.

So where are you going with all of this?

Well, when you consider doors—whether they are in your neighborhood, your workplace, or the White House—you can only enter if you have been granted the right to enter by those who own the place. So, when Jesus calls Himself the door, He is saying that He is the one who has the authority to get us to God.

Okay, but why is Jesus the only one who can get us to God?

Great question! God is perfect and holy, and He doesn’t want where He lives to be muddied with evil and sin like we see on earth. Earlier you said you worked for a software company. So, you’ve probably seen that the rooms where they make computer chips can’t be contaminated by what’s on the outside. 

The Bible says that we have been contaminated by sin and that, try as we might, we can’t clean ourselves. We need someone else to do that for us.

So that’s where Jesus comes in?

Exactly. Jesus is the only sinless person to ever walk the earth, and because His death paid the penalty for our sins, He is only one who can forgive ours, make us clean, and give us the right to enter into God’s presence for eternity. Is Jesus a narrow door? Perhaps, but that’s okay, when we know He’s willing to let anyone in who looks to Him for forgiveness.

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Don Barkley is the Director of Staff Training at Search and over the last 40 years has led hundreds of discussions about God and life in homes, businesses, country clubs and colleges. With his wife Ann, Don enjoys visiting their kids and grandkids in all four time zones.