The Crossroads of Life

My wife and I consider Jeremiah 6:16 as one of our favorite Bible passages. The passage reads:

"This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’"[1]

This passage comes to us in the midst of judgment that has been proclaimed against the people of Jerusalem for their refusal to follow and obey God. But even in the midst of impending judgment, God calls his people, which includes the nations, to consider their ways (Jer 6:18). Here in this Old Testament passage, we see a glimmer of gospel hope being held out to all who will listen. Our God is a loving God who wishes for people to pursue the path of salvation and receive the gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ (Rom 6:23). God, here, freely chooses to call people into the way of salvation rather than permitting them to continue on the path that leads to eternal destruction (cf. John 10:15, 18).

This passage highlights the reality that there are two ways, or paths, in life: the way that leads to salvation and the way leading to destruction (Jer 18:15). This theme runs through the entire Bible, and we see it in such places as the Psalms in the contrast between the way of the “Blessed” and “the wicked” (Ps 1). And then we have God’s Wisdom personified as “Lady Wisdom,” calling all who will listen to learn and follow the “good way” where they “will dwell secure and will be at ease,” the “ancient path” (Prov 1:20-33). The “Ancient Path” this passage speaks of is a path of obedience to the law of God which comes with God’s blessing of “length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you” (Prov 3:1). But let me mention, it takes the finished salvific work of Jesus Christ in a person’s life for them to be able to keep God’s law (1 Cor 2:14; Rom 1:17). John Bunyan wrote his famous book, “The Pilgrim's Progress,” about this very theme. It’s a theme that defines the way of salvation. Will you follow Jesus Christ (John 14:6)? Or the way of the world towards the eternal “City of Destruction”?[2] The Bible provides us with a clear picture of others who have walked this ancient path of faith long before us, so that we might be encouraged to walk in the “good way” ourselves (Heb 11:1-12:2).

For these reasons, we consider the theme of the “Crossroads” a central theme for life, ministry, and evangelism. Why is this? It is for this reason that when a person arrives at their own personal Crossroads of Life, they must decide whom or what they will follow. The true Crossroads of life is the point at which a person can hear and understand the gospel message (1 Cor 15:3-5). Jesus stands at the very middle of life’s crossroads, for he is the only way by which we may be saved (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). So will we fly to Christ and receive salvation in and through him? Or will we be like the world of which our passage speaks that says, “we will not walk in it,” rejecting the only offer of salvation from certain destruction (Jer 6:16)?

The Christian’s journey of faith just begins at the crossroads of life, their moment of personal conversion (Rom 10:9). For the rest of their life, the Christian is tasked with following Jesus Christ in conforming their life to his life (Matt 10:38; Mark 10:21; John 1:431 Cor 11:1). We actually arrive at many crossroads everyday when we are faced with the choices of everyday life. Will we keep Christ’s commands, or will we keep ours (John 14:15, 15:10, cf. Judges 21:25)? It is this very fact that motivates the personal ministry of the Word among believers, whether pastoral, Biblical Counseling, or everyday discipleship among fellow believers.

It is these very reasons that motivate us to start a new coffee shop as a ministry for creating gospel connections in our community. We pray that people encounter the gospel of Jesus Christ through Crossroads Coffee,[3] and that many might be saved in and through our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray for discipleship, Bible Studies, and Biblical Counseling to flourish through this ministry. Whether it’s at the crossroads of initial gospel contact or at that of navigating the daily task of making Christ-centered decisions, being conformed to the image of Christ, so that the body of Christ may be built up and strengthened (Isa 30:21; Eph 4:11-16). All to the glory of God alone, SDG (Jude 25).

[1] New International Version. All other Scripture references are from the ESV unless otherwise specified.

[2] John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress From This World To That Which Is To Come (1678), 33.

[3] www.crossroadscoffee.cafe

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