Introduction to Jesus, The Way - Part One

Jesus, The Way
Introducing Jesus As The Way - Part One

Note: This study is based upon an excellent Bible correspondence course program
entitled "Jesus, The Way", by Sewell Hall. I have slightly altered the order and
expanded the content.

As we begin this series of studies, I would like to start by having you ask yourself several questions:
Do you have problems?
Are you confused in things pertaining to life itself?
Do you feel lost, with a sense of despair?

If you do, don’t feel like you are alone. About the time of Abraham, a person who was experiencing a great deal of suffering said:
"Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue." (Job 14:1-2)
These words, spoken nearly four thousands years ago, express the sentiments of millions today. Now, however, there is a way out: Jesus Christ! As He Himself said:
"I am the way, the truth, and the life..." (John 14:6)
Yes, to everything that is truly good, both in this life and the one to come, Jesus Christ is the way!
In this study, I want to introduce several areas in which Jesus is truly "The Way". Succeeding lessons will expand upon these themes, but in this lesson I simply wish to whet your appetite.

For example, Jesus is...THE WAY TO A BETTER LIFE
On one occasion, Jesus stated His purpose in coming to this earth:
"...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) This "abundant life" Jesus offers is more than simply life in the "hereafter". Though He does not promise wealth or luxury, He does assure us of:
A loving Father in Heaven, who cares for His children. As Jesus taught in His "Sermon on the
Mount":
"Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:31-33)
A more than sufficient provision for those who are willing to follow Him as "The Way". As we read on another occasion:
So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundred fold now in this time; houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life." (Mark 10:29-30)
Therefore, it is not surprising to find that the happiest people in the world are those who have most completely committed themselves to following Jesus as "The Way". As the apostle Paul wrote, even though he was under house arrest at the time:
"Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:11-13)
And when the apostle Peter wrote to Christians undergoing extreme forms of persecution, he could honestly say:
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory," (1 Peter 1:6-8)

Jesus is also...THE WAY TO FORGIVENESS OF SINS
He is the only solution to a very serious problem. The most serious threat to our well-being that we face: Sin! This is because everyone of us is guilty of sin:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23)
And sin is not without its consequences! Often physical, but always spiritual! Unless the problem of sin is resolved, the ultimate consequence is eternity in hell!
But through Jesus Christ, God has made provision for the forgiveness of our sins! Out of love, God offered Jesus as the "propitiation" for our sins:
"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:9-10)
Through His blood shed on the cross, Jesus provides forgiveness for our sins:
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. (Ephesians 1:7)
After His sacrificial death for us, Jesus explained how those lost in sin could be saved; it involves repentance on our part.
Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:47-48)
It also involves faith and baptism.
"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mk 16:16)

This lesson will be continued in Part Two in which we will note that Jesus is the way to God and the way out of religious confusion.