Right now, I’m engaged in a Blitz through the Bible campaign. Basically, I’ve challenged myself to read the whole Bible in 2 months. I do this occasionally because it helps me to see the bigger picture of the Bible. When I do this, I’m always amazed how I can read something in the Old Testament in the morning and then read something later that night in the New Testament that gives reference to what I read earlier.
The books of Romans and Hebrews really come to life when read soon after reading the first few books of the Old Testament. It becomes quickly apparent that the two testaments are truly one story. God’s story. It becomes apparent that God’s story is not about us. It’s about God and what He did for us. Now, in His story, there are heroes and villains throughout; but those individual stories are diminished when taken apart from God’s bigger story. All of those stories, when seen as a single story, allow us to see a God who would stop at nothing to save His people. All of those stories point to a single act of sacrifice where one God-Man, Jesus, gave up His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
There are many people who deny God’s story. There are many others who claim that eternal life can be found in other stories. There are a lot of road signs out there that say “This Way to Eternal Life.” Many make the claim that all of these roads lead to the same destination…
Jesus made it clear that that was not the case.
One day Jesus was trying to tell His friends that He would soon be killed yet He was trying to comfort them:
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:1-6
Many object to this statement. Many who claim that there are many ways to God (or whatever their version of God is) say that this isn’t fair. It’s exclusive. It’s narrow minded. It’s mean-spirited. I’d say to them, consider this:
- Jesus created it all, He gets to make the rules (John 1:3 and Colossians 1:16 assert that Jesus created everything).
- Jesus didn’t keep it a secret. He put it out there for everyone to know. There is a way to God. I am that way.
Finally I would tell them this:
Jesus was under no obligation to make a way at all. There didn’t have to be any path to God. The fact that there is a way to God at all testifies to the love, mercy, and grace of God.
Jesus did make a way. He, Himself was and is that way. What the Bible does for us is show us that way. Now you might say, “I’ve read the Bible, I know the way.” I’d say to you, “Not as well as if you were to read it again.” So… go for it. Find a Bible reading plan that works for you. There are many great ones out there. Just do it. There are no other words that lead to eternal life and no other source that can tell you authoritatively how to live a life pleasing to God.
P.S. If you really want to have a good time, have a go at reading it in 2 or 3 months. The YouVersion Bible app has a Read the Bible in 90 Days Plan and a Read the New Testament in 30 Days plan. I’m working both at the same time. So… go for it.