In the Anchor Devotional June 13th devotional from “Haven Ministries,” Rev. Curry Pikkaart told the “story of some Detroit passengers who were waiting to take off and were listening to their flight attendant welcoming them. She stumbled repeatedly over which destination  cities they were bound for, but then an authoritative voice came over the intercom saying, ‘I’m your pilot, folks. And don’t worry–I know where we’re going!’ “

     Well, there are a lot of “flight attendants” (religious leaders, politicians, educators, etc.) today whose messages are very confusing, offering no real assurance of reaching the destination we are hoping for–namely heaven!  How reassuring to know our “Pilot” knows how to get us there, and He is the One in charge!

     I think of the time when, in the Upper Room, shortly before Jesus was arrested, tried and crucified, He said to His disciple: ” ‘In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.’  Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?’  Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me’ ” (Jn. 14:2-6). 

     Not only does Jesus know the way to heaven and to the Father, but He IS the Way!  He is not “a” way, He is “The” way, for “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).  Jesus was sent from the Father (Jn. 3:16; 20:21), and 40 days after His resurrection, returned to His Father in heaven–so He knows the way!  And He is the way!  If I plan to visit somewhere I have never been before, it is very helpful to talk to someone who has been there before.  And, it is even better if they will go with me as my guide.  

     Well, guess what?  When we acknowledge that Jesus Christ died for us and rose again, paying the penalty for our sins, and we receive Him as our Savior and Lord, He–through the Holy Spirit–comes to live IN us and, since He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5), He will be there to “guide us to His home in Heaven.”  Whether that comes through our physical death or His coming to take all believers (the Church, the Bride of Christ) to His Father’s house, He knows the way for “He IS the Way!”   His is the authoritative voice of the pilot saying, “Don’t worry folks, I know where we are going, and I will get us there!”  You see it is “Christ in us” that is our “hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).   

Forever His,

Pastor Dave Nelson