One Way
Background Story: In the gospels and in the book of Revelation, Jesus repeats to the people, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” As the crowd followed Him, not all heard and were saved. As we read today’s passage, pray for fresh eyes to understand the words of Jesus and for ears that hear and respond with faith.
Read John 10:7-18
Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Big Idea: Jesus is the only way to God.
Most people in our culture like the idea of God, but Jesus is another story. They might be ok with the baby Jesus found in the manger, but they can become offended by the Jesus we see in John 10. Why? We live in a world that says, “what’s good for you, is good for you- and what’s good for me, is good for me.” It’s ok for you to believe something as long as you don’t claim it to be universal truth.
In John 10:7, Jesus calls Himself the gate or the way to God. He says, “whoever enters through me will be saved.” In John 14:6, Jesus says something even more shocking when He makes the statement, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” No other way? In today’s world, these statements are seen as intolerant because they leave no room for alternate options. But the reality is- either Jesus is who He says He is, or He is a liar. We can’t pick and choose through Jesus’ words like choosing which food to eat in a buffet line. If Jesus is the Son of God, then we must hear the whole truth of the gospel and accept it by faith.
In the story of Noah and the flood in Genesis 6-7, those who entered the ark were saved. All those outside mocked, but Noah listened and obeyed God and was delivered from God’s wrath. In the same way, Jesus is the gate, the door, or the way to God. Due to sin, mankind is separated from God and subject to His wrath. Romans 14:10 says, “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, died on the cross, and rose again to take our punishment. Acts 4:12 says “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Even if these verses are unpopular and not trending, they are as true today as when they were spoken over 2,000 years ago! So the question is…what will you do with this Jesus?
Takeaway Verse:
Song for Today:
Looking For More?
Dig Deeper: John 8:24, John 3:14-18, Romans 5, Isaiah 53, Romans 10:9-13, 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 17:3, Colossians 3:3-4, 2 Peter 3:2-15, Colossians 2:13-15
Similar Devotions: It’s Personal, Not A Typo, Faith Dilemma, A New Name, Ultimate Miracle, The Perfect Sacrifice, Never Forget, Wedding Clothes, The Curtain, Come Alive
Devotions4Teens Video: One Way, The Gospel- 3 Minute Presentation, Sharing Your Faith, I Want to See, Sneaky Sin, Thirsting For God
