Recently I received a question concerning the necessity of Christ for salvation. The question was whether God gave all people to Jesus or only some people. The answer to this question may be found in the last statement of Jesus in today’s gospel from St John. “No one comes to the Father except through me.” To go to the Father means to go to heaven. And to go to heaven is understood as salvation. Then, Jesus is declaring that salvation is possible only through him.

When we ask questions of the necessity of Christ for salvation, we think of those who never heard the Gospel or Christ Jesus. It is understandable to raise questions about their final destinies. How could they receive salvation if they never knew Christ Jesus? But Jesus clearly states he is the way, the truth and the life.

But we often forget who created all universe when we ask those questions about salvation. As St John’s prologue tells us, without the Word, nothing came into being. The Second Person of God is not only the Savior and Redeemer but also Creator first. Christ Jesus knew first all those who never heard of him. Since the Word was eternal with God and he himself is God, Christ Jesus, the Incarnate Word, cannot but be related to everyone who exists or existed. When Jesus spoke of the other flock than his disciples and followers, he might have meant those who never knew him. They did not know him, but Christ knew them. We would not know how he would call them for salvation. It is beyond our imagination. However, it is also Christ Jesus who is their salvation, no one else.

Christ is the way, the truth and the life. No one can be saved without through Christ Jesus.