One of the beefs about Christianity is its claim of exclusivity. This exclusivity is branded as intolerant, narrow-
minded, and arrogant.
In the light of this rebuke, some, like Former National Council of Churches chief Joan Brown Campbel, urge Christians to “reject the “exclusivity” of their own faith.” Others try to diminish the exclusivity by labeling it a misunderstanding.
Recently, as I studied John 14, I ran into 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” While familiar with this verse, I had never looked at it closely in the context Jesus said it to his disciples.
Jesus has just told the disciples he is going away and they can’t come with him. Then he tells them their leader, Peter, is going to deny him. Both ideas were troubling to the disciples.
In order to comfort the troubled hearts of the disciples, Jesus tells them about this “place.” He tells them he is going to prepare it for them. He tells them it is in his Father’s house. He tells them he will be with them in this place.
As they grasp the promised beauty of this place, they want to know how to get there, what is the way to this place. In response to this question, Jesus tells them, “I am the way….”
If you look at this verse openly and honestly, I don’t see any way around the claim of exclusivity Jesus is making here. However, as I thought about this idea, I came to realize there are two very divergent views of this exclusivity. I will call them
- The Augusta National view
- The hikers in danger view.
Augusta National Golf Club was founded by Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones and opened for play in 1933. Augusta National is the site for one of the most famous golf tournaments in the world, The Masters, and known to be one of the most exclusive clubs in the world. No member list is published and members’ spouses and children are not even allowed on the grounds without the member. The selection process is unknown. It is rumored that, if you want to get in too badly, you will never be invited.
Now imagine you are someone who wants in, really wants to get in. You go to the tournament and plead with anyone you can find that looks official that you want to apply to be a member. Finally, someone tells you it doesn’t matter how much you want to get in. “Your desire is not the determining factor, the members are. They decide who gets in and who doesn’t.”
But you want in, really want in. You try to figure out the unknown
qualifications and work to achieve them, even the one of looking like you don’t want in. But you never know if you are doing enough. Finally, the day comes and you realize, you are not getting in.
This type of exclusivity is designed to keep people out. This exclusivity is narrow and discriminatory. This is one view of exclusivity.
Now imagine you are on a hike with some friends. You are all somewhat experienced at hiking but none of you is completely familiar with the terrain you are hiking. In the middle of the hike, a rock-slide happens above you. You hear it coming and scramble for cover. It envelopes the group, and you wonder who will survive. Amazingly, as the dust settles, you realize everyone escaped. No one is injured.
The problem is the trail is decimated. You don’t have a clear path back where you came from or forward where you want to go. Because of the slide, all your equipment is either lost or destroyed. You have only the sun to go by, and it is setting quickly. No one knows for sure which way to go, only some hunches as you discuss a course of action. Some want to get going quickly because of the impending lack of sunlight. Others are more deliberate and want to weigh options. Several alternatives arise with no clear consensus. Its getting late. Tensions are rising.
Suddenly, a stranger arrives and boldly announces, “There is only one way out. All others will end in death. I know the way. Come, follow me.” All of you are caught off guard. “Who is this guy and why should I trust him?” you begin to wonder.
One of your friends on the hike pipes up, “He is a friend. We have hiked together before. He knows this area intimately. We need to listen to him.” Some of you decide to trust your friend and this man. Other don’t and go off on their own.
It takes more time than you thought to get to safety, but you finally arrive. As you do, it settles in you, “I made it. I got out.” You also realize, those who didn’t come with you didn’t make it out. You are grateful but sad.
Think back to this claim, “There is only one way out.” This is exclusive, but this type of exclusivity is not designed to keep people out but to make sure people get out. Anyone who wants to escape can, if they will follow this rescuer. No one is excluded. Desire for rescue is key to this way. The only other qualifications are a willingness to let go of one’s pride and accept one’s need for a rescuer.
These are two different kinds of exclusivity. One that attempts to keep people out and the other that attempts to make sure people get out, or, to put it another way, to make sure people get in – in to the safety they long for.
If you look at the whole passage in John 14, it seems clear that Jesus is talking about the second kind of exclusivity. He wants to make sure his followers find their way to the place he tells them about, this place of eternal relationship with him and the Father that has such promise, such hope. In making this claim of exclusivity, he is not being arrogant or discriminatory; he is being honest, humble, compassionate, and gracious. Anyone can come this way, no one need be excluded. Those who embrace this one don’t feel superior to others but rather passionate about helping them find the way as well.
So how do you view this claim of exclusivity? As arrogant and narrow or humble and open? The question for us is the same as the hikers. Will we let go of our pride that we can find our own way and accept the fact that we are lost and in need of a rescuer?
Some today say Jesus is a good teacher, one of many ways to God. However, this One doesn’t just say he knows the way, like one of many other spiritual teachers, he says he is the way! In the face of such an exclusive claim, we can either cling to him or go our own way, but we cannot just call him a good teacher.
