A Story About Two Travelers
Two travellers set out on a journey to find a distant city said to hold great treasure. Along the way, they reached a crossroads, where two paths stretched before them.
One road was well-travelled, wide, and easy to walk, but it wound around hills and disappeared into a fog. The other road was narrow, steep, and rough, but at its peak, the city was just barely visible on the horizon.
The first traveller looked at the wide road and thought, This must be the way to go. If so many people have travelled it, it must be right. Trusting in what seemed easiest and most popular, he set off confidently down the smooth, easy path.
The second traveller hesitated. He had heard stories about the treasure and knew that the city lay in a specific direction. Squinting up the narrow road, he could faintly make out the city in the distance. Even though it looked hard, something inside him urged him to follow this tougher path. So, trusting in what he knew was real, he started his climb.
Days passed. The first traveller, though confident at first, grew weary. The wide road turned out to be longer than expected, and soon, it led him into a thick fog. Lost and confused, he wandered in circles, unable to find his way out.
Meanwhile, the second traveller kept climbing. Though the narrow path was rough and exhausting, the higher he climbed, the clearer the view of the city became. His trust in the direction he had chosen kept him moving forward, and eventually, he reached the city and found the treasure he had sought.
The first traveller, despite his sincere belief that he had chosen the right path, never found the treasure. His personal truth led him astray because it wasn’t based on what was real, but on what felt like the easy or more comfortable way. The second traveller, though facing a harder road, trusted in something beyond his own instincts. And that trust led him to the truth.
Can Truth Be Subjective?
This story raises an important point: personal beliefs don’t always lead to what’s true. The first traveller believed that the wide road would lead him to the city, but his belief didn’t change the fact that the road led nowhere. Sincerity alone wasn’t enough to guide him to the treasure—what mattered was whether his path aligned with reality.
In much the same way, many of us rely on our own understanding of truth. We base decisions on what feels right in the moment or what we see others doing. But what happens when life’s circumstances change, or when the path we’ve chosen doesn’t lead where we expected? Does truth bend to our desires, or does it remain constant, regardless of what we think or feel?
If truth is only what we decide it to be, then no one can ever be wrong. But reality doesn’t work that way. Consider relationships, for example. Many relationships fall apart because of differing personal beliefs or moral standards. When each person is living by their own version of what’s right or true, conflicts are inevitable. What one person considers acceptable behaviour might deeply hurt the other. When there’s no shared understanding of truth, it’s hard to build trust or find common ground, and the relationship begins to crumble.
The Nature of Truth
Truth, by its very nature, can’t be subjective. It doesn’t change based on opinions or feelings. If something is true, it remains true, whether we believe it or not. That’s why the second traveller in the story succeeded—he trusted in something real, even though it was harder to follow.
So, if truth exists and it’s not subjective, what is it? How do we find it?
The Way and the Truth
In the Bible, Jesus makes a profound statement about truth. He says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus isn’t just claiming to know the truth; He’s saying that He is the truth.
This is a bold claim because it implies that real truth isn’t just a concept—it’s found in a person. While many philosophies or religions may offer ideas about truth, Jesus presents Himself as the ultimate, unchanging reality.
This is a bold claim because it implies that real truth isn’t just a concept—it’s found in a person. While many philosophies or religions may offer ideas about truth, Jesus presents Himself as the ultimate, unchanging reality.
Unlike subjective truths, which shift with our moods, opinions, or circumstances, the truth found in Jesus is eternal. It doesn’t change when the culture shifts, and it doesn’t bend to fit our personal preferences. This can feel narrow, but in reality, it’s freeing. Just like the second traveler, when we trust in a truth that’s fixed and reliable, we find a path that leads us to where we truly need to go.
However, in today's culture, one way can be a challenging idea, especially in a world that offers many different versions of truth. You might be wondering, Why Jesus? What makes His truth different from anyone else’s? Here’s what makes Jesus’ claim unique: He didn’t just talk about truth—He lived it.
What Makes Jesus Different?
Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection offer a different kind of truth—one that is fixed and unchanging. The Bible teaches that humanity’s core problem is sin—our tendency to go our own way, separate from God’s truth. Sin leads us away from what is real and traps us in confusion, just like the first traveller who wandered in the fog.
But Jesus came to offer a way back. His death on the cross wasn’t just an act of sacrifice; it was a rescue mission. By taking the punishment for our sin on Himself, Jesus made it possible for us to be reconciled with God and to find the real truth that sets us free.
And that’s not all. Jesus’ resurrection—His rising from the dead—demonstrated His power over sin and death. It proved that His words weren’t just theories or ideas—they were backed by divine authority. Jesus is the truth, not just because He said so, but because He conquered death itself to show us the way to life.
Why This Matters to You
Maybe this is the first time you’ve heard this, or maybe you’ve heard it before but didn’t know what to make of it. Either way, this is an invitation to reflect on your own path. Are you like the first traveller, following a road that seems easy but leaves you feeling lost? Or are you ready to explore a different path—one that might be challenging but leads to a treasure beyond anything this world can offer?
Jesus invites you to follow Him on this journey. He offers more than just good advice or moral teachings—He offers a relationship with the God who created you and a path to eternal life based on truth that doesn’t change.
An Invitation to Explore
So, where are you on the journey? Are you like the first traveller, following a path that feels easy but doesn’t seem to be leading anywhere? Or are you willing to explore the possibility that there’s a truth bigger than your own, a truth that can guide you even when the way seems hard? If you’re curious to know more about this truth, here are some ways to begin:
Read About Jesus: The Bible, especially the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), offers a clear picture of who Jesus is and what He taught about truth.
Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask hard questions. Seeking truth is a journey, and there are people who would love to walk that journey with you, whether it's a friend, a pastor, or a church community.
Try Prayer: Start a conversation with God. You don’t need fancy words—just be honest. Ask Him to reveal what’s true, and to guide you as you explore.
Think about the areas in your life where you feel uncertain or lost. Are you following a path that feels good in the moment, or are you seeking something deeper, more lasting?