The New Life

One Way; The Only Way

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

When people travel (go on a journey or trip), for most means of transportation, a ticket must be purchased. There are options as to how one travels and it is good for people to have choices to make because each person’s situation may be different for whatever reason. It could be limited finances as to how far, when and where that individual can travel. In other words, it has to do with whatever is convenient or suitable for the person.
Even though it’s wonderful to know there are choices that can be made, sometimes it’s confusing or one may begin to wonder how time consuming it is to make reservations. It depends upon the ticket being the price you want to pay. You also check for different airlines, cruise lines, buses, trains and etc, as to whether they are going to your destination and you want to see who has the best accommodations for you. This is time consuming and can be aggravating, yet you have to do everything that’s required in order to be sure your planned trip will actually take place.
Most people usually purchase a roundtrip ticket; however there are situations that arise when only a one way ticket is necessary. There have been times over the years when I purchased a one way ticket because I was relocating to another place (city). There are other reasons people need a one way ticket; because they are not coming back to their original destination for a certain time period. People in the military are a good example for only needing a one way ticket, because when they are deployed, they will not return very soon. And because these people will not return home soon, the ticket will be void because most tickets are only valid for a certain period of time.
Wherever a person goes and for whatever reason, in making preparation for the journey (trip) there are numerous people that you have conversations with. If you’ve ever traveled like I have, you have had some real experiences and more than likely each person that you talk to will provide you with different information. That’s so confusing and it can also be frustrating. But, you have to decide that one of these people is giving you the correct information and believe it is what you need for your journey (trip).
Although it may be frustrating to go through all these changes to get where you want to go, it is absolutely necessary. You won’t be able to go anywhere without a valid ticket. I have traveled every way that was mentioned previously and I am a living witness that a ticket is necessary; and sometimes, depending on where you’re going, more than one ticket is necessary.
If you are planning a trip, (going on a journey) it has to be well thought out prior to making reservations. Then you need someone to help you finish the planning. When you make a reservation, the person or persons assisting you have experience in that area; that’s why you need help in the first place. Through the help of someone else, you are given a confirmation number which lets you know that the reservation is for you only. The confirmation number is your guarantee and nothing can change that.
After everything is finalized, you wait expectedly for the day of your trip; while waiting, you have to decide what you’re going to pack for the trip (journey). The particulars that you pack will have to be suitable for the climate in the area you’re traveling to. Sometimes, depending on where you’re going, two sets of clothes may be needed because the weather may be cool in the morning and evening, and it could be quite warm during the day. This kind of planning takes time and effort, but it’s worth the effort when you think about how great your trip is going to be.
I’m going to tell you about another journey that is greater than any trip you could ever take. You don’t even have to make reservations, and you don’t need a roundtrip ticket. It’s a one way ride that will take you to a place from where you’ll never want to return. It doesn’t cost you anything; you don’t need to plan for it, because that has already been taken are of. All you have to do is accept this free trip which is the road to eternal life. This sounds real good, doesn’t it?
There are two situations in the bible that are quite contrasting ((different). Jesus offered what is being offered to you today; a free trip (eternal life). As you read these two stories, please carefully consider what your option will be. Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’!” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing, Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?’ But He said, “These things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” [Luke 18:18-27]
If you look at this story, one would think it would be difficult to inherit eternal life; the truth is all you have to do is be willing to give up whatever is keeping you from following Jesus. The rich man’s possessions were his god, but Jesus wanted to become his Lord. (Owner)
The second story is completely different as far as these two men’s mindsets were, even though they both were rich. Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold”. And Jesus said to Him, “today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; “for the Son of man has come to seek and save that which was lost.” [Luke 19:1-10] The contrast is this man was willing to give up what ever it took to let Jesus become his Saviour and Lord. He was determined to get to Jesus; he was not going to let anything or anybody stop him. And, he received Jesus joyfully without any reservation. Those who were complaining about Jesus being with sinners were hypocrites. Jesus’ entire mission was to bring salvation to a lost world. Evidently these hypocrites thought they were okay. They needed to realize this: for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, [Romans 3:23]