The Way to the Father

Tom Barnard

 

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

(John 14:6 NIV)

 

“Is there an appointed way to God? Jesus Christ is the only living Way to the Father.

Whatever the posture, we can enter only by Him; there are no other doors.

And every person can come this way with a new hope,

for a new beginning, or for a renewal of faith and purpose.”

(Kenneth E. Sullivan, in And I Saw the Mountain)

 

For Christians, the Advent Season has more to do with “who” than with “when.” The English word “Advent” comes from the Latin word advenio and means “coming or arrival of an important person.”

 

Christians celebrate Advent for the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Many Christians around the world honor the season by setting aside periods of time for fasting and praying. But the importance of Advent has to do with who is coming. Jesus Christ is the “who” of Advent.

 

It has been said of the late Oswald J. Smith that he drew closer to God in prayer when he was alone in his study, walking back and forth across the room. But that speaks of the posture of prayer, not the person through whose name one prays to reach God. Smith knew the who of Advent.

 

Jesus made it very clear. If you want to reach the Father, it is through the Son. And what better time of the year than Advent to discover a new hope and a new beginning and a renewal of faith and purpose in life. Advent. It’s time to celebrate Christ’s advenio again.

 

Heavenly Father, it is through the Name of your Son that I pray today. This year is nearly at its end, and my family has so much for which to be thankful. But above all our blessings is the reality that Christ came to redeem lost people and make it possible for them to spend eternity in heaven. Beyond this, you have sent your Holy Spirit to cleanse us from all sin and to empower us to live lives that glorify you. It is in that reality that I praise your Name today. Amen.