For several weeks beginning on February 3, 2019, our message series is called “The Way.” Over the course of the series we will be looking at how disciples of Jesus live, what that looks like in the context of the chosen twelve, and what it looks like for us two thousand years later.
When the church was almost brand new, following the pouring out of the Spirit at Pentecost, there was no title for it. It wasn’t “church” and until a reference in Acts 11:26 they weren’t even called “Christians.” But there are references before that to believers being called “followers of the Way” and it’s capitalized in English translations to show that it’s a title. There’s a mention in Acts 9:2 from when Saul was persecuting the church, he was looking for people belonging to “the Way.” It was in that persecution context that Saul was transformed by the power of the Lord to be a follower of “the Way” himself and his name was changed to Paul.
We use the same words, the way, to mean many things. We use that label for directions, “do you know the way to San Jose?” (to quote a song from the 1960s). We say that when we are referring to how something is done, “this is the way to use your mobile phone.” We use it introduce an adjective – i.e. “the way you look tonight” or “the way we were” (more old songs).
As we think about that title relative to being people of faith, the meanings are similar. We follow the direction of Jesus; He shows us the way to go in our lives. We move forward in faith, trusting in His direction; it’s “the Way” we go. The Way is how life is done as a disciple of Jesus. Our lives are different from the world because we believe in the Lord. Our priorities are different. Our decisions and choices get made through the lens of faith and obedience. It’s “the Way” we live. And “the Way” changes our appearance. How we are perceived, because we think and act and live life following Jesus, is different. People notice.
What does it mean to follow Jesus? It means we listen to His direction, we do our best to stay on the path He shows us, and we join Him in the mission of inviting others to follow.
On the Way,
Pastor John