3-26-15 The Way

1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9) 

Thoughts: This passage and Acts 22 refer to following Christ as "followers of the Way."  Perhaps some think the easiest way to interpret this is to say these are people who follow the way of life or teachings of Jesus.  But it is more than just that.  It is following the path of Jesus- the path of love and light.  It is not just the practical teaching of love of neighbor or enemy that Christians follow, but also the teachings about God.  Jesus emphasized God as Father, even calling him "abba."  Jesus also claimed that if we see Him we see the Father- and He emphasized He was God in the flesh.  This is part of the way too- that distinguished Saul from those he was persecuting.
   Ironically, Saul was told when he persecuted believers in Christ he was persecuting Christ himself.  Those who are in this way of Christ are just following behind Him, or even with Him, but they are one with Him as a part of His body.  We are in the way and on the way with Him.  When Saul was being converted, Jesus told Saul where to go.  The way is not just a philosophy, but there is practical and directional guidance from our Lord.  The way is not just a spiritual, unearthly existence, but it is concrete- from the One who made all elements that make things concrete.  Jesus not only teaches the way- He IS the way- and asks us to be One with Him in our every day living.  

Prayer: Lord, apart from you I am lost. Keep me from forgetting what you have done.  Keep me in your way- and help me to encourage others to walk with you in this blessed wa.  

3-25-15 The Way

21Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.  (Isaiah 30:21)

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.' (Jeremiah 6:16)

13“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13,14)

I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father but by me.  (John 14:6) 

Thoughts: The Christian life is described as a road- a path- a way.  We can choose the fashionable, wide and popular way that leads to destruction.  Or we can ask for the ancient, holy, narrow way.  Today the term "Narrow-minded" is seen as wrong-headed.  It is the broad thinker that is seen as more human.  But the one who is able to find the path of life through the valley of the shadow is the waymaker- the Lord who leads us through.  The One who made the path came down to show us the only path out.  That is the message of the Bible.  There is a way out, and God has come to show us that ancient, true, holy path that He has made.  We must take a path.  We can choose the path of life or the path of death.  We can choose the holy way- the way and the person of Christ or we can stay on the path of death. 

Prayer: Lord, lead me along the level ground, the ancient path of life.  Lead me to yourself and to the kingdom of heaven- your abode.