He Really is the Way to Life

The twenty-fourth chapter of Luke unfolds like a mystery drama. Three men are traveling from Jerusalem to the city of Emmaus. Two of the men are disciples of Jesus. The first is named Cleopas and Luke does not reveal the second disciple’s name. The third man, unknown to the two disciples, is Jesus—their master. Three days prior he had been crucified, and the two disciples are unaware of his resurrection. Cleopas and the other disciple are lamenting over the events that have taken place in Jerusalem. As Jesus walks with them, he questions their sadness.

Cleopas explains that Jesus’s disciples, himself included, had hoped that Jesus was the promised savior. But now that Jesus is dead, their hope has vanished. Jesus chastises the disciples and begins to speak with them about all the Scriptures that were about him. As they reached their destination, they urged Jesus to stay with them, still not recognizing him. During the evening meal Jesus blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to them. Immediately, their eyes were opened, they recognized Jesus, and knew he was alive.

Jesus declared to the Twelve that he is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only way to God. People argue that there are many roads to God. However, Scripture asserts that Jesus is the only true way to God, the essential source of truth, who made eternal life possible for us through his death.

Luke 24 starts with sadness as the disciples mourn the death of their master. The chapter ends with joy, as they realize that Jesus has risen indeed.

And that’s also good news for us. Because Jesus has risen from the dead, we no longer have to be subject to a dreary life of sin.

He is the founder and perfecter of our faith, says the author of Hebrews. He is the one who makes us complete and brings us into a right standing with God (Hebrews 12:1–3).

He offers us a rich, abundant life in God (John 10:10). The richness of that abundant life far supersedes any material wealth that we could accumulate. The life Christ offers is a vibrant life, free from the torment of sin.