Cut Right to It

     As the ancient story goes:  One day a simple farmer, Gordius, and his wife road an ox cart into the town of Phrygia.  Little did he know that it had been prophesied by an oracle that the next man to enter the city in an ox cart would be King of Phrygia.  He was crowned King.  As an offering for his good fortune Gordius offered his ox cart to the gods tying it to a pillar with a highly intricate knot.  From that grew another prophecy, that whoever would undo the Gordian Knot would be the ruler of all of Asia.  In the year 333 B.C. Alexander the Great came to the kingdom of Phrygia, having heard of the prophecy and on a quest to conquer the world, Alexander went to examine the famous knot.  After looking at the knot for a short period, Alexander removed his sword and cut cleanly through the knot.

     Today most people believe that salvation has become so complicated that no one can truly untangle the knot that has been formed.  People seek comfort, salvation and reconciliation to God through a multiplicity of roads.  It may be in ancient times that all roads lead to Rome, but according to scripture not all roads lead to God.  During the ministry of Christ there was much confusion about Christ himself.  Jesus asked his apostle in Matt. 16:13, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” In verse 14 They said, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” In his teachings Christ cuts through the knot of confusion and says clearly who he is and where salvation lies.  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6).  Here Jesus makes four very restrictive statements: 1. He is the way.  There are not multiple paths open to men there is but one. 2. He is the truth.  For years men have been told that there is no such thing as absolute truth, yet Christ says that he is the truth.  3. He is life. Those that are seeking peace in this world, peace of mind, or a fulfilling life, it can only be found in Christ Jesus. 4. No man can come to the Father but through Jesus Christ.  Christ was not very politically correct, he did not say find your path, do what you feel is right in your heart, or seek God on your own terms. He clearly stated that the only path to the Father must go through him.  In an age of live and let live, you do your thing and I’ll do mine and let’s not be judgmental the scriptures are clear. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:10 – 12). 
     Recently I heard a man asked if he was offended by the name, Jesus.  He responded, “Why would I be offended he was just a Jewish carpenter”. To see Christ as nothing more than a Jewish carpenter is to be entangled in the knot of religious confusion that has been constructed by the world.  Peter cut cleanly through the confusion when he answered Christ’s question with this statement.  Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:16). Christ said of himself, I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world (John 6:51).  Just a carpenter?  Just a wise teacher?  Just a prophet?  No he is much more, he is the savior of the world.