JOURNEY GUIDE: Is Jesus the Only Way?
I had a vibrant conversation recently with a man of Muslim faith. He drove my Uber.
I was curious about the Arabic words on the shiny object hanging from his rearview mirror. He said it was a driver’s prayer, and I asked if he were that poor of a driver. He laughed. So did I, nervously.
I asked for permission to talk about his faith, and he gave it.
I wanted his perspective. I know a few Muslim doctors who insist on vigorous end-of-life treatments when other medical professionals call for hospice. I asked my new friend if the Muslim faith thought it noble to fight for life and disgraceful to give up.
He gave his perspective, which led to his explaining that Muslims need to be as good as possible to be accepted in the final judgment.
He thought our beliefs about Jesus were the same, even though he didn’t think Jesus was crucified and resurrected.
“That’s a significant difference,” I responded as I exited. “Jesus’s death made it so we don’t have to fear judgment.”
He was curious, mainly when discussing his role as a dad to lead his daughter toward truth.
As we stood in the wind leaning on his car trunk, I told the driver gently but confidently that based on my research and experience, I believe Jesus is the only way to salvation because he is God and died for me. “I don’t believe that because I’m a Christian; I became a Christian because I believe that,” I said.
At this point, some people feel a tinge, a discomfort that invites a change of topics.
Christians don’t want to be labeled as arrogant or narrow-minded, and non-Christians don’t want to be judged. Both groups often see no value in such an exclusive statement about salvation.
But, as Rebecca McLaughlin has written in Confronting Christianity, “When questions of truth carry life-and-death consequences, we see persuasion as an act of love.”
I found myself loving this man. He’d shared his story with me. He drove to provide for his daughter. He’d profoundly disappointed his parents. His heart bled for their pain, and his actions were attempts to bandage their wounds.
I wanted him to live without fear of judgment and instill into his daughter the value and love Jesus gives her.
I shared a few resources, which he wrote down, and pressed the importance of figuring out the truth. “I might be wrong,” I said. “But based on history and evidence, I think Jesus is God in the flesh. He wants to save you too.”
He thanked me so much it felt like he wanted to tip me, but instead, I got my first Uber-driver hug.
He drove off, and I felt burdened. I also sensed God was present.
He always is.
“I am the way and the truth and the life,” Jesus explained. “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Here’s the Journey Guide:
It’s not kind to remain quiet when danger is ahead. Respectfully and with permission, explaining Jesus as the way is the most loving thing we can do.