A Different Way

I came across something several years ago, that while circumstantial seems very powerful and worth sharing. I was in Cairo, Egypt on business and had an extra day before going on to my next stop, London. An Egyptian I had been working with gave me a personal guided tour of the tourist highlights, including climbing down into the very burial chamber of one of the three Giza Pyramids, walking around the Sphinx, and enjoying a professional but also personal guided tour of the Cairo Egyptian Museum.

In numerous ways throughout the day of ancient wonders, the thousands-years-old artifacts pointed to a central question. The Ancient Egyptians, perhaps even more than modern cultures, were very concerned about the afterlife. That was the very reason for the Pyramids and other things they did - preparing for the afterlife.

Many of the wealthy (not just Pharaohs) had elaborate tombs built - some more elaborate and “supplied” than others. Each and every one of these tombs had, as part of their architecture, a fake portal or false door. This false door was constructed into the side of the tomb, and looked more or less like doorways look today, sans an actual working door or doorknob. It was actually a solid rock wall fashioned to give the false impression of a doorway. My guides repeatedly explained that the false door was included so that the now-bodiless soul would be able to go back and forth, or to and from heaven.

Translated into English by the guides, this false door was named “The Way”.

Move Northeast from Cairo about 300 miles, and two millennia ago. Warned in a dream to flee from Herod in what is modern day Israel, Joseph took Mary and the then baby Jesus to Egypt. Egyptian tradition says they lived in the Cairo I toured. Jesus lived there during his early childhood up until nine years old or so. He most certainly understood much of the Egyptian culture and religions even at that early age (he taught in the Tabernacle at a fairly young age, not many years later). One of the things he said during his formal ministry was “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6 NKJV)

It is just my humble opinion, but I think when Jesus said “I am the way…”, and announced everyone had to go “through” Him to get to Heaven, it was more than a convenient metaphor. The words He chose could have been a direct and precise rebuttal to the Egyptian (or any other) falsely taught “way” to Heaven. The “central question” of the Egyptians, and indeed all of mankind, was answered!

“No one…” gets to the Father in Heaven through the Egyptian or any other false door, prophet, church, cult, or way - but only through Christ.

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved…” (John 10:9).

Have a blessed Easter!

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