Christ the Way to Heaven

“I am the way” ().

The Christian is professedly a pilgrim, a pilgrim on his way to glory. He is seeking a better country, that is to say, a heavenly one. He looks upward beyond the glittering starry skies. To this world of happiness and rest, Jesus is the way,

I. By the Revelation He Gave of It.

A clear description of that blessed world was never given until Jesus was manifested in the flesh, and brought life and immortality to light by His gospel. He spoke of it in the most plain and familiar terms, called it His “Father’s house,” the place of many mansions. And on some occasions He referred to its purity, and its celestial glory. How splendid must the imperial palace of Jehovah be!—the seat of His heavenly court, the residence of His spiritual and glorious hosts, where He is seated on His high and lofty throne, in overwhelming splendor of eternal light. To dwell in the presence of God is supreme joy and eternal life. Here are pleasures forevermore.

II. Christ Is the Way Also, Because He Only Can Confer the Title to the Possession of Heaven.

Heaven is the inheritance, and we become heirs through the justifying grace of Jesus. By faith in His mediatorial work, we become the sons of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.

III. Jesus Also Imparts the Preparedness Necessary to Its Enjoyment.

Before it can be enjoyed, we must be prepared; this He effects by the cleansing power of His blood, as communicated by the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit. Thus He makes us partakers of His own nature, and renders us capable of participating in His glory.

IV. Then He Is the Way, as He Is Our Glorious Leader and Example.

He is the guide of His people, and He left us an example, that we should follow His steps. He, as our forerunner, has gone before, and has opened a new and living way into the holiest place, and has consecrated it for us, by His precious blood. No man can come to the possession of the Father’s favor on earth, or the possession of the glory He bestows in heaven, but through Him.

V. Jesus Is the Only Way to Eternal Glory.

There is but one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. He is the one immutable foundation, the rock of ages, and other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ. To Him, as the way, all the prophets testified; and John, as His illustrious harbinger and herald, proclaimed Him as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. It is the special work of the ministry, to point inquiring, penitent souls to Jesus, as the only Refuge and Savior from the wrath to come. And in doing this, the distinguishing features of this way must be specified.

A. Its freeness must be proclaimed; that it is not restricted to a select few of mankind, but that Christ is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. That there is no condition, natural or moral, which can exclude from Jesus and His salvation, but the self-willed and persevering exercise of unbelief. He has declared that whosoever comes to Him He will in no wise cast out.

B. Then its gratuitousness must be announced. As it is free to all, so it is free to all on the most gracious terms; there is no moral fitness required. No meritorious service is demanded. Unworthy, wretched, and truly despicable, and rebellious sinners, may approach Jesus as they are.

C. Then it is a way of sure and certain blessedness. All who have received Jesus, and walk in Him, possess peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Their course infallibly tends to eternal life. No evil can come near them, no mischief can befall them. Abiding in Him they cannot perish, neither can any pluck them out of His hands. They go from strength to strength—everyone of them at last appears before God in His celestial Zion.

Jesus, my Lord, thou only art

Salvation’s blessed way,

Oh, cheer my heart, and keep my feet

Unto eternal day.

Jabez Burns