Jesus Christ is the way.
He told us so and then he proved why we should follow him for in his resurrection, he revealed God’s heavenly kingdom. This is what he wanted for his disciples and this is what he wants for all of us.
As the hour of his fulfillment approached, Jesus gathered together with the disciples for the last time. He had final words to say to them and he had final words to say to God. On behalf of the disciples who followed and believed, he raised his gaze to God and prayed:
“This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)
The next day would lead to his persecution and crucifixion on the cross. Yet he thought not of himself and his impending suffering, but of his followers and their yearning for reassurance. He wanted to confirm for them that their faith was not in vain. In their presence, he turned to God and asked Him to accept and love his disciples just as He accepts and loves Jesus, His Son:
“I am no longer in the world and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, the name which you have given me that they may be one even as we are.” (John 17:11)
But not all of the disciples followed his way. One disciple, Judas Iscariot, chose another path:
“While I was with them, I was keeping them in your name which you have given me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition.” (John 17:12)
Judas’ betrayal and flight along the road to perdition was the rejection of Jesus and the repudiation of his teachings. It was the denunciation of eternal life in heaven. Given a choice between serving two masters, God in heaven or the rulers of earth, Judas choose the option that secured his ultimate ending while the true disciples choose to walk the way of Jesus to eternal life.