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The Way, The Truth, and The Life
What does it mean to “follow Jesus”? It is a question that we should ask ourselves each week as we gather to hear scripture read, hymns sung, and prayers lifted. Because it isn’t an easy thing to do nor is it always clear what is involved or put at risk in doing so. On this coming Sunday, we hear Jesus tells us what this means in John14.
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know
the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also.
This past Sunday we heard Jesus describe himself as “the gate for the sheep” to go in and go out. Rather than just as the good shepherd who cares for and guides the sheep, here Jesus the gate is the means by which we come to know which way to go in following Jesus. The gate maybe narrow and the path rocky, but it is the “Jesus” who opens it to us and leads us along the way.
What does that way look like? Well, from the Acts text for this past Sunday, some might say “It’s socialism!” Or some kind of insular cult. But a careful reading indicates otherwise. In Acts 2, we hear how followers of Jesus (“disciples”) lived out this way:
Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done
through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common,
they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any
had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke
bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and
having the goodwill of all the people.
What does it look like for you and me to “live the way of Jesus”? Surely, the examples we read in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, in the gospels and in some of the epistles indicate that the treatment of Christ-followers doesn’t seem to be much difference than that afforded the prophets in Israel and Judah in the Old Testament.
Derision. Dismissal. Denouncement. False Accusations. Exclusion. Loss of friends, family or livelihood. Persecution. Even harassment.
Not things we would wish upon anyone we care about – spouse, children, parents,
siblings, friends, neighbors, co-workers. Yet there is a cost to choosing to try and live as Jesus instructs – and that cost is because the way of Jesus conflicts often with the way of the world.
And not only is this a difficult thing for us to do, but it is incredibly difficult to “sell” to others! If we haven’t convinced ourselves that this is the way to live and keep trying to follow Jesus’ example, then how can we expect others to see the value in it?
In the coming weeks, we will wrestle with this idea of what a life that follows Jesus looks like, what it takes to do, and what are the obstacles that get in our way. And like other aspects of “religion,” we will parse out the manmade dimensions from the divine desires.
Hold on tight!
Shalom.
Pr. Mark
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