A rescuing hand is greater than a pointed finger

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” — John 14:6

Those are the words of Jesus in the Bible. I know some may read this verse and believe it to be judgmental and exclusionary. They see a condescending Christ pointing a finger at those who don’t believe he’s the Messiah.

But what if we viewed this passage in a different light? And what if we could see the posture of Jesus in a different way? Instead of him scolding us and pointing a finger in this text, what if we could imagine him extending a hand of rescue? And instead of admonishing us, what if he’s actually pleading for us to join him? He’s entered our burning building to rescue us — and he knows the only way out. He’s reaching for our hand to keep us from perishing.

Sometimes a simple change in perspective really can mean the difference between life and death. And as we share our stories, it’s much more likely to change someone’s mind about who Jesus really is. They just might see our concern as a rescuing hand, and not a pointed finger.

Just a thought to ponder.

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