DEVOTION//Captain Jesus

Jesus said…, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me" (John 14:6).

Columbus’ crew

“How did Christopher Columbus convince his crew to keep going?" was a Quora question.

Jon Mixon responded, "The captain, the first mate, perhaps the second mate, and definitely the pilot/navigator were usually the only ones who could actually use a mariner’s astrolabe and a compass to tell direction and to navigate the ship.… While Columbus’ sailors probably grumbled and even got restless, they all also knew that without him and the other officers, they would have a very limited idea of how to navigate the vessels. So they simply did what they were told and fortunately for them (and himself) Columbus led them to the New World."

Serving in Jesus’ crew

When I first read Mixon's answer, I thought, "What a grand illustration of how Jesus is the way." Jesus is the captain of the ship of life. He knows how to transport me over life's seas to heaven's new world. I can only do myself harm by mutinying and taking command of the rudder.

But there's something wrong with Mixon's answer illustrating my Savior as “the way.“

Jesus' relationship with me is much more intimate than a ship's captain's relationship with his crew. I am his fully-adopted brother and his dear friend. He proved my high status when -- for me -- he went to the cross and then burst from his tomb.

Serving because of Jesus’ grace

Jesus has convinced me of the shameful truth of my sin and the glorious truth of his grace. His life here on earth and now in heaven testifies that I have life, life here and forever. He is the only way those blessings can be mine. My captain -- my dear friend and brother -- is the way, the truth, and the life. For that reason, I trust him no matter what course he steers.

With that as the starting point, there is no sullen resignation about Jesus being the captain of my ship. I can celebrate the course he plots for my life. I can hold tight to him when he steers through mid-ocean hurricanes or when we seem to stall in equatorial doldrums. Mutiny doesn't come to mind because, through the grace of Captain Jesus, I have come to the Father.

How could I not trust that captain?