For Christians this is a very easy question to answer. But first a clarification. It’s not “our way” it’s “the way” and that would be the way of our God and King, Jesus. (Titus 2.13, Rev 19.16) Jesus literally said that he is “the way” (John 14.6). Note that he didn’t say one of many ways, but the way–meaning the only way.
But, this being Christmastime, I wanted to give you a bit more to meditate on. So the meditation part is in this article. Further theological considerations will come in part 2, the follow-up to this article.
Many Signs, One Destination
When there is a big event, typically there will be one destination but many signs pointing you to that destination. Consider sporting events such as the Super Bowl or the World Cup. If you want to go to the event, you must go to the venue where it is being held. There may be many signs that direct you to the place, but in the end there is only one place you can go to be at the event.
So it is with the arrival of the King of eternity who holds the keys of life and death. (John 5.21, Rev 1.18) Is not where you go to meet such a King and learn how to prepare to spend eternity, a big event? Is not the arrival of this King who can show you the way–the one way–to enter a joyful eternity, a big event? Is it not proper for there to be signs and fanfare for such a King of eternity and the universe? Indeed such a King came, and there were and are many signs to point you to his arrival. To be with him or to draw near him there is only one destination–not many. Since there is only one destination, not all roads lead to that destination.
Consider some of the signs that pointed to the coming and the arrival of the King:
- The Sign of the Star
Stars in the heavens (Matt 2.2, 9-10. For more on the star of Bethlehem, see my article “Star of Bethlehem – Divine Preparation for the Incarnation“). - The Sign of the Magi
Wise men from the east – Magi – who read the signs in the stars and traveled across countries to see the king. Their arrival was a sign to all Jerusalem; a sign that troubled the Roman-appointed king, Herod (Matt 2.1-3). - The Sign of the Angels
The King’s arrival was heralded by Angels (Luke 2.9-14). - The Sign of the Prophets – Those to whom it was revealed by God
His arrival was recognized by those to whom his arrival was revealed by God: from shepherds who told many about the arrival of the messiah (Luke 2.18), to righteous individuals such as Simeon (Luke 2.25) and Anna (Luke 2.36), the prophetess who also told many. - The Sign of the Scriptures
Of course many scriptures had foretold the coming of the Messiah born to a woman (Gen 3.15) from the tribe of Judah (Gen 49.10), the Son and heir of David (Is 9.7) born in Bethlehem (Micah 5.2) to a virgin (Is 7.14), a prophet like Moses (Deut 18.15), a light to the gentiles shining in Galilee (Is 9.1-2), etc. And you are blessed because you have access to these signs recorded in God’s final written word – the New Testament – where these are signs recorded for all eternity.
So, as with any great event, there were many signs and many were made aware. If you want to attend an event, the first step in doing so is to acknowledge the event–in this case the arrival of the one true King. You won’t attend the Superbowl if you don’t acknowledge there is such a thing as “the Superbowl.” Likewise, you can’t find your way to the King if you don’t acknowledge the existence of the King. But the existence of, and the coming of the king has been announced far and wide. From the wisemen, who no doubt let the people where they were from know where they were going and why, to the stir they caused in Jerusalem – to prophets such as the shepherds or Anna or Simeon, or even a blog article like this one, all announce the big event of the arrival of the King that happened at a certain place, at a certain time and concerns one particular person. There are not many places, times and people. One place. One Time. One King.
Speaking of he King, this is not just any king. This is the King who, like most kings, had control over death, but unlike any other king could also give life (Luke 8.49-55). He is the King who had control over all of creation: from the seas (Mark 4.36-39) to trees (Mark 11.21); from healing sickness (Matt 8.16) to reattaching severed body parts (Luke 22.50-51); from commanding fish into nets (Luke 5.4-6) to creating bread (Matt 14.17-21); from walking on water (Matt 14.25) to ascending into heaven (Acts 1.8-11). This is the King and Messiah before whom demons trembled (Luke 8.28, 31), who knew all things (John 16.30) and whom death could not contain (John 21.14). Had we been there to see it, no doubt we, too, with his disciples would have asked “Who is this, that even the wind and seas obey him?” (Mark 4.41).
Clearly, this King is greater than any king before him or since. If you want blessings from this life-giving King and Messiah, commander of the armies of heaven (Josh 5.14), you can’t take any path, and you can’t go anywhere you want. You can’t go to idols or other so called wise men. You can’t find your own way. You can’t follow deceiving spirits, however they appear. You must take the one way. Go to the King, the one and only Son of God.
Now, here’ a better question: Why would this King leave the splendor and grandeur of his magnificent abode–for clearly the abode of such a King would be magnificent–to spend his first days on earth in a feeding trough (Luke 2.7), and live the humble life of a first-century carpenter? (Mark 6.3) That is a much better question and the one we’ll consider in part 2 of this article. Until then:
Merry Christmas!
Duane Caldwell | December 23, 2023 | Printer Friendly Version
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Image:
Wood manger and star of Bethlehem © Painting Cat | Dreamstime.com (used by permission)
