Show Me the Way

 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.

– Psalm 119:1 

The recent deep-sea implosion of the Titan submersible continues to dominate the news, which reports that all five passengers aboard the craft perished during their expedition to the wreck of the Titanic. Many consider the incident to be nothing more than a tragic accident. However, serious questions remain. For example, the sub apparently had no official certification regarding its adherence to basic maritime engineering standards, and Canada’s Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation. Also troubling is that the head of the company that operated Titan had earlier dismissed critics’ safety concerns as being roadblocks to innovation. (He also died in the mishap.) And one passenger on a May 2021 test dive of the submersible reported that Titan’s propulsion system had stopped working and that its computers were unresponsive — all in just 100 feet of calm water. “I 100% knew (this tragedy) was going to happen,” he said.

Did disaster arise from overconfidence in Titan’s experimental design? If so, it was nothing new. As King Solomon observed centuries ago through the Old Testament's book of Proverbs: 

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

That’s true for physical death. But it’s also the case for spiritual destruction — a stern warning that Jesus declared to his followers and enemies alike. The Roman Empire that ruled Israel 2,000 years ago embraced multiculturalism, which allowed the worship of multiple false, manmade deities. On the other hand, the Jews worshiped the one true God. But if they were willing to get along with the Romans by acknowledging Caesar as their lord, the government largely tolerated them.

Fast-forward now to 21st century America, and we see that society continues to embrace multiculturalism and political correctness. Whether it’s Christianity, Islam, Hindu, or Buddhism, it makes no difference — particularly if you’re sincere in your faith. However, those who dare to stand for Biblical principles are denounced as naïve, bigots, and intolerant.

From the foundation of the world, Jesus knew that this perspective meant its proponents' certain death and separation from him. In response, he proclaimed, “I am the way and the truth and the life. “No one comes to the Father except through me.” And in Matthew 7:13 he likewise declared, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”

Are these outrageous and narrow-minded claims? Only to those who are lost and refuse to believe in Jesus as their exclusive guide to salvation. But to those who follow him as their Lord and Savior, his stunning declarations are a simple roadmap that shows the only way to truth and eternal life.