It was Brian McLaren who has helped me to understand what Jesus is saying when he says, “I am the Way.” "This is the verse that is frequently quoted to defend an idea called the “exclusivity of Christ,” namely, that all who do not consciously and decisively accept Jesus as their personal savior will burn forever in hell. That phrase raises concerns for me, because based on the Scriptures, I believe Jesus primarily came not to proclaim a way out of hell for some after death, but rather a way into a better life for all before death. His message was not about going to heaven after history, but about the kingdom of heaven coming to earth in history."
Jesus as a bridge into a way of fully living life now. We can well imagine the opposite of St. Catherine’s ‘all the way to heaven.’ All the way to hell is hell. There are many people whose daily life is hellish. There is a better way. “If you want to know what God is like,” Jesus says, “look at me, my life, my way, my deeds, my character.” And what has that character been? One of exclusion, rejection, constriction, elitism, favoritism, and condemnation? Of course not! Jesus’ way has been compassion, healing, acceptance, forgiveness, inclusion, and love from beginning to end.” That seems like heaven all the way.