Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life.
This ferry from Omdurman to Tuti Island has operated for many years. Passengers who want to cross the Nile, where the White and Blue rivers meet, know exactly where they have to go to join the boat. The short journey happens for hundreds of people many times every day. New bridges are being built, but this time honoured method of crossing will always hold good memories for me.
There is choice for travellers wanting to go to Tuti. Other boats cross the Blue Nile further up river. The peak journey times, when people are rushing to and from work, are very busy. Yet there always seems to be enough room. If the worst comes to the worst a late passenger may have to wait for the next boat.
Suppose you want to go to Heaven, not just to Tuti Island. How would you get to Heaven? Do you know where you must go to join up?
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”, John 14:6. He spoke these words immediately after He had told his followers He was soon going to die.
I learn from these words that an individual living friendship with Jesus is the way into Heaven for us all.
This is the true way – we must not be taken in by any false offers.
This is the only way – we are mistaken if we think there are others.
This is the living way – we can enjoy knowing the certainty of it in our daily lives now.
Every day in our lives we have the opportunity to start the Jesus way to Heaven. We first come to meet him at His cross, where He died as a substitute. He was punished for our sin. The punishment due to God’s wrath He took Himself. Holy Heaven is opened to me because the merits of Jesus’ death far outweigh my bad (or good) deeds.
Are you coming to heaven too?
March 2008.