The Road Who Leads to Life

There we were, at the dead end on “the Road to Nowhere.” Literally. Vacationing last month, Peggy and I had heard about this highway that abruptly halted just a few miles outside of Bryson City, NC, a gateway city to the Smoky Mountains National Park. The original plan drawn up in the early 1940s called for a road to reach Fontana Lake, but for a variety of reasons construction stopped, never to resume. Our curiosity got the best of us—besides, nearby trailheads beckoned these two eager hikers—so we ventured forth to see for ourselves. Along the way were signs of lingering local resentment; one billboard read, “Welcome to the Road to Nowhere. A Broken Promise. 1943—?” Three-generations later, disillusionment over hopes denied still boils over in anger.

In His “sermon on the mount,” Jesus said two life pathways lie before us—one is broad and its gates are wide; the entrance to the other is narrow and its path is constricted.¹ The first way, though wide and easy, “leads to destruction,”² He warned. Can you imagine the bewilderment and dismay its travelers will have upon arriving at such a destination? It is unthinkable; no description is adequate. Thankfully, the other path “leads to life,” although, tragically, “there are few who find it.”³ Then where is this narrow and difficult path; how do we locate its trailhead? Fortunately, Thomas stopped and asked for directions for us all: “How can we know the way?”⁴ Jesus’ answer would forever mark the narrow road to life. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” He replied, “No one comes to the Father except through me.”⁵ Jesus is the gate and path that lead to life. He is the way, and we can trust Him, for there are no broken promises in God.

Then what joy awaits the arrival of all who sojourn this living path! Isaiah gives us a glimpse in this prophecy that ultimately foretells our life in a new and everlasting Messianic age:

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it . . . Only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. —Isaiah 35:8-10 NIV

May this be our vision and our message as we walk in Christ, the road Who leads to life.

Father, in You there are no broken promises. Grace us to walk the narrow path—Christ Jesus, who is the Way and the Truth and the Life. In His name we pray. Amen.

^{1, 2, 3} Matthew 7:13-14 NASB
⁴ John 14:5 ESV
⁵ John 14:5-6 ESV