The Right Way

Bible Reading: John 14:1-6

As August walked down the hallway at school, he saw a little boy crying up ahead. An older girl August’s age was talking to him. “Don’t cry, I know how to get to Miss Shelby’s classroom,” August heard the girl say as he got closer. “You go that way until you get to the gym, then turn right and go three doors down, and that’s Miss Shelby’s room.”

August frowned. Those directions weren’t right!

As the girl went on her way, August approached the little boy. “Hey, you’re new here, aren’t you?” The boy looked at him, wide-eyed, and nodded. “That girl gave you wrong directions,” said August. “You have to turn left at the gym, not right.” The boy’s lip began to tremble, and August patted his shoulder. “Look,” he said, “I’ll take you there. Okay?” The boy smiled and nodded, and soon August had delivered him to his classroom.

When August got home later that day, he told his mom what had happened. “I’m glad you were there to help,” said Mom. “By the way, Milo’s mom texted me. Milo wants you to go to Bible club with him tomorrow night. I hope you’ll go.”

“Okay,” said August. “But Mom, I wish you’d quit worrying about whether I’m going to heaven.” His mom had recently become a Christian, and she often tried to talk to him about trusting in Jesus too. “I’ll be there,” August said with a smirk. “Uncle Scott says I’m such a good kid that if anybody makes it to heaven, it’ll be me!”

“Well, I agree with Uncle Scott that you’re a good kid,” said Mom. “But he’s wrong about the way to heaven. I’m afraid you’re like that little boy at school. He was ready to follow directions from someone who didn’t really know the way.” Mom paused for a moment. “God tells us how we can be saved and have eternal life. His Word—the Bible—says it’s not people’s goodness that will get them to heaven. You were that boy’s way to his class—you took him there. And Jesus is the only way to heaven. We need Him to save us and make us right with God so we can spend eternity with Him.”

August was startled. Maybe Mom’s right, he thought. I need to make sure I’m going the right way.

– Mary Rose Pearson

How About You?

Are you following the right directions to heaven? God’s directions are the only ones that can be trusted, and they’re found in His book, the Bible. He says Jesus is the way—the only way—to be saved from sin and have eternal life. Don’t be fooled into thinking you can get to heaven any other way. Trust in Jesus today. (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.)

Today’s Key Verse:
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Jesus is the way to heaven