There are millions of people around the world who have sincerely-held religious beliefs that might, at first glance, seem to be compatible with Christianity. Every religion preaches the “golden rule” of doing to others what we would want done to ourselves. Every religion says that God (or the gods, or karma) rewards good behavior and punishes bad behavior.
But only Christianity says that our good behavior will never be good enough, so God himself took the punishment we all deserve for our bad behavior through the death and resurrection of his son Jesus. Only Christianity says that God gave us his own goodness through the perfect life of Jesus.
That’s what Jesus said in his conversation with Thomas.
The night before his death he was encouraging his disciples with a glimpse of their eternal life in heaven, He said, In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. You know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:2-4)
One of his disciples is confused. “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?” (John 14:5)
Thomas is looking for a path to heaven. He’s looking for 10 steps, or 4 pillars, or whatever. He’s looking for something concrete that he can do or not do to know whether or not he’s going to heaven. A list of things that will guarantee it.
But it says Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7)
In other words, “Don’t look for a path. Look for a person. Don’t look for a philosophy, or a moral code. Look for me.”
Jesus is saying, “I’m the way, because I’m going to clear the path by dying on the cross. I’m the truth, because I have an intimate knowledge of God and his ways. I’m the life, because I have the power to conquer death itself.”
This is what makes Christianity totally different from all world religions.
Jesus is not a religious leader, wise man, or prophet. He doesn’t just point people toward the path to heaven. He is the path! And he’s so bold as to say he’s the only path.
People didn’t like that claim in his day, and they like it even less in ours. In our culture, it’s a ridiculously offensive idea. We’re supposed to believe that all paths lead to heaven, and whatever people want to believe about God is just fine.
The problem is that every other path to God depends on the good works we do. Jesus says there’s no way you’ll make it that way, because nobody can be good enough. He says, “I’m the only way you’re ever going to see God the Father. Just put your faith in me to pay for your sin and give you new life.”