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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
So says Jesus, explaining to his disciples – at least in part – his function for them and their responsibility in return. He then went on to add, “All who came before me were thieves and robbers,…”; indicating here and elsewhere throughout scripture that anyone teaching something contradictory to his words were to be considered false prophets – thieves and robbers – and shunned. (Matthew 7:15 & 24:11) Warning too that anyone attempting to enter the “sheep pen” by any other means, trying to circumvent the true shepherd is to be guarded against as well. (John 10:1-3)
Throughout this discourse, he claims to not only be the single gate into the pen of safety (John 10:7), as in the small gate at the end of the narrow road that leads to real life (Matthew 7:13,14), but he further identifies himself as the only good shepherd of his flock. (John 10:11) Which leads us to a number of other titles identifying various functions Christ claimed for himself that are crucial for a more complete understanding of the role Jesus can and should play in our lives; a few of which opens Christianity to the charges of prejudice and exclusivity. And to a degree they are right, scripture being explicit in its pronouncements concerning the singular nature of salvation; God giving Jesus a “name” that is above every other (Philippians 2:9), assuring us that anyone who calls out to him – in Jesus’ name – will be saved. (Romans 10:13) The point of contention being expressed most starkly in Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
But I would think if God has indeed reached out to us in an attempt to provide what we can’t accomplish on our own, that he would He allowed – and even expected – to set the terms by which we accept his offer. And if he says there are no other paths by which we reach him, no other names to address him by, no other messages of salvation directing us to him; then I believe we’d best listen up and respond accordingly.
His frequent use of the identifier I AM is reminiscent of Jehovah’s identification of himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14 (see also Hebrews 13:8), shedding even more light on the many facets of Jesus’ character and ability to satisfy all our needs. “I am the bread of life.” John 6:35; promising sustenance to satisfy our inner-most hunger and thirst for something beyond ourselves (Matthew 5:6), as we partake of his essence by ingesting his word into the very fiber of our being. (John 6:48-51 & 63) His pronouncement that, “I am the light of the world” harks back to his association with Jehovah as well, as an active partner in creation, being of God and with God throughout all time, acting to sustain the universe eternally (Genesis 1:1,2 & 26; John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:3); brining life and light to a world of darkness, steeped in misconception, misrepresentation and outright rebellion. (John 1:4) God’s word, light and life; becoming flesh, dwelling among us, representing the Father and his plan of salvation and redemption. (John 1:14)
When Jesus characterizes himself as, “…the true vine,…” and his father as the gardener who prunes fruit-bearing limbs to enhance their capacity to produce even more while removing unproductive branches (John 15:1,2), he further clarifies our relationship to him. Specifically saying, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 Elsewhere emphatically claiming that, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”; promising a full and abundant life (John 10:10) – not necessarily an abundance of things – in the here-and-now, life everlasting in the hereafter. (John 11:25,26)
In attempting to comfort and calm his confused and anxious disciples toward the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus counseled, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” He went on to explain that, ‘I am about to leave you, but its ok. I’m going to prepare a place for you to join me. I’ll come back, and besides, you know where I’m going.’ To which Thomas replied, ‘But we don’t know where you’re going! How can we follow you there?’ (my paraphrase) To which Jesus replied, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my father as well. From now on, you do know him, and have seen him.” John 14:1-7
People today aren’t particularly unique in their approach to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the “wise” still wanting to fully understand the unfathomable, the insecure demanding signs and miracles in an attempt to banish their doubt. “…but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18-24
Prompting those of us who have responded to that preaching of the church to proclaim with Paul, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. Romans 1:16
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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