The Way

“so that if he found any being of the Way, both men and women, having bound them” Acts 9: 2

The Way – My friend told me a story about his trip to Switzerland.  After work, he was invited to the home of a believer.  As he sat with the family, he told the man how grateful he was to find a Christian family from India in Switzerland.  The homeowner replied, “Oh, we’re not Christians.  We are followers of Jesus.”  He went on to explain that so much baggage is tied to the term Christian that he and his family decided it was much more correct to claim allegiance to the Master rather than the movement.

The name “Christian” was originally an insult (see Acts 11:26).  It was not the name used by those who followed Jesus.  It was a word made up by those who ridiculed and hated the followers of Jesus.  The followers of Jesus called themselves something else.  They called themselves “followers of The Way”.

We need to take a moment to reflect on this.  Today the word “Christian” is attached to all sorts of questionable relations.  “Christian” nations, “Christian” politics, “Christian” education, and yes, I have even seen advertisements for manuals on “Christian” sex.  It is a word that has been stripped of its real meaning.  But “The Way” says something else.  “I am the way, the truth and the life” is the origin of this label.  “I am a follower of The Way,” says that I belong to only One, the Lord Jesus.  I follow Him.  Not a creed or a congregation or a platform, but a man Who is God.  I am in His service, at His call, with His brothers and sisters, about His business.

When I meet with the inmates at the jail, we recite a simple message about The Way.  Follow me.  Get yoked up.  Learn of me.  Help each other.  Forgive.

“The Way” is walking after Jesus.  Clear.  Simple.  Copy.

How do you describe yourself?  Are you a variation of some kind of the “Christian” population?  Or are you really a follower of  “The Way”?