One of the claims that people resist today is that Jesus is the only way to be forgiven of sin and reconciled with God. It’s an exclusive claim that receives pushback in our culture that claims to prioritize inclusivity and tolerance above all else. In a world that has so many different religions and well-meaning people, how can Jesus be the only way?
Why do followers of Jesus believe that He is the only way?
The answer goes back to Jesus Himself. While Jesus’ parables often confused people, Jesus was crystal clear about His identity and purpose.
1. Jesus claimed to be God.
In John 10.30 ESV, Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” That was one of many times He had made such a claim (John 14.8-9), and those who opposed Him understood Him perfectly. They picked up stones to kill Him. When Jesus asked them why they responded that way, they said, “We’re stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God” John 10.33 NLT.
2. Jesus claimed to be the only way.
In John 14.6 ESV Jesus said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Earlier in John’s Gospel, Jesus had said, “Unless you believe that I Am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins” John 8.24 NLT. The consequences for rejecting Jesus’ claim of exclusivity were also made clear: “But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken” John 12.48 NLT.
Why should anyone believe that Jesus’ claims are true.
It’s true that many people have made audacious claims that aren’t true. So, it’s reasonable to ask why anyone should believe that Jesus’ claims are true. There are three reasons that stand out:
1. Jesus fulfilled ancient prophecy.
Prophecies about the Messiah said that He would be of Jewish lineage (Genesis 12.3), from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49.10), of the house of David (Jeremiah 23.5-6), born of a virgin (Isaiah 7.14), be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5.2), come out of Egypt (Hosea 11.1), live in Nazareth (Isaiah 11.1), minister in Galilee (Isaiah 9.1-2 ESV), speak in parables (Psalm 78.2-4), be betrayed by a friend for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11.12-13), have His hands and side pierced (Psalm 22.16), and be forsaken by God (Psalm 22.1).
Throughout His life, Jesus fulfilled approximately 353 ancient prophecies about the Messiah that were written hundreds of years before His birth.
2. Jesus died for our sin.
We are all guilty of sin. The punishment for sin is death and separation from God. Jesus, however, was without sin. He is the only perfect person to ever live. 1 Peter 3.18 NLT says, “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time.” He never sinned, but He died for our sins to bring us forgiveness and freedom.
3. Jesus rose from the dead.
Jesus not only predicted His resurrection (John 10.17-18), He also accomplished it. The basic outline of facts is listed in (1 Corinthians 15.3-7), which can be traced back to only a few years after the resurrection. Jesus died on the cross and was buried in a tomb. Three days later, He was seen alive by as many as 500 people at one time. The early Christians were so committed to the truth of this claim that they willingly gave up their lives for it.
A quote by C. S. Lewis, the Oxford scholar, summarizes a person’s options when it comes to Jesus’ claims. Lewis wrote, “You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.” It’s not enough to say that Jesus was a good person or an influential spiritual guru. He didn’t give us those options. He is either the Lord, a liar, or a lunatic. Everyone must pick one.
