Is Jesus Elitist?

I recently heard a story about a pioneer missionary who wanted to take the gospel to a completely unreached tribe in the jungle. The problem was, there was no known path into that part of the jungle.

The missionary approached the chief of the tribe where he was staying and asked for help. The chief said there was only one man in the village who could get him there. So he called for the man. When the man arrived, he was a massive man, covered in scars, with an axe in his hand.

The next day, the missionary and his rugged guide took off into the jungle. In the beginning, there were a few trails to follow, but as their journey progressed, the bush got denser and the trails disappeared. They were hacking their way through thick jungle and climbing up and down rocky cliffs.

After a while, the missionary became concerned. He asked, "Are you sure this is the way?" The man paused, looked back at him with a smirk, and confidently said, "Do you see this axe in my hand? And do you see these scars on my body? Years ago, with this axe, I blazed the trail out of my village. No one has ever been to this tribe, and come out of it. You ask me if I know the way. Before I came, there was no way. I am the way."

That settled it. The missionary shut up and followed the man deeper and deeper until they finally made it to the tribe.

I tell you this story because we're looking at Jesus' statement that he is the way, the truth, and the life. It's a hard thing for many people to accept. Because if he is the way, and not a way, then that means all other religions are wrong. Tomorrow, the question we'll be tackling is this: Is Christianity elitist because it believes it's the only true religion?

Or could it be that this is the most loving claim anyone has ever made?

Maybe you're the skeptic who thinks "one way" sounds arrogant. Maybe you're a Christian who's afraid it is. Either way, you're welcome at church tomorrow at 10 AM.