FOLLOWERS OF THE WAY TODAY

  “The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who, by profession or culture, are identified as ‘Christians’ will become disciples – students, apprentices, practitioners – of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heavens into every corner of human existence.” ― Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’s Essential Teachings on Discipleship.

Throughout the Book of Acts, people who were followers of Jesus weren’t called Christians but followers of The Way or people of The Way (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14). Jesus called Himself “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). They were not simply committed to a cultural practice or obligation, nor was Christianity seen as a religion, a system of thought, or just a creed, but a way of life.

It was a distinctive way of life. In other words, it’s not so much that Christians are people who believe certain things, but that they are people who live a certain way. Being a follower of the way is not a path to travel but rather a pattern to follow. The early church was known less for sharing the doctrinal positions of Jesus and more for sharing the example He modeled.

To follow the way, we must be like the way and imitate the way. The early Christians were not called Christians because they were morally superior people. They were called Christians (Christlike ones) because they imitated Jesus by taking on Christ’s compassion, humility, and love.

Look at what is happening by the end of Acts 2. After repenting, being baptized, and being filled with the Holy Spirit, some 3,000 people began to follow Jesus. They devoted themselves to one another and to the apostles’ teaching. They prayed for one another, happily sharing resources. They went to the Jerusalem Temple every day. The apostles were doing many wonders and signs.

They kept doing the things they knew to do, God did the amazing things only He could do, and people were attracted to what was happening.  They were committed. We must remember that being a Christian was quite a cost in those days. Following Jesus was dangerous, and you didn’t do it casually. When you crossed the line of saying, “I’m in, I’m a part of this family,” you were in. You were committed. And, of course, this commitment shows up simply in the word “devoted” (Luke 2:42). This word speaks of consistency and perseverance. These people were committed to being the church together.

How can we be this kind of community and imitate Jesus today? Well, we can start by looking at what He said and did in the Bible. As we read and study God’s Word, we see how much He loves us. Especially in the accounts of Jesus’s ministry on earth, it’s captivating to see how Jesus responded to people. Whether they treated Him with honor or contempt, Jesus wanted them to know His love.. We can also learn about His relationship with God the Father. Jesus is God the Son, and He loved and trusted the Father through everything. In all kinds of situations, Jesus’s character was revealed by His actions. As we study Jesus’s life and trust Him to help us follow His example in our own lives, we will act more and more like Him.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think it is any different being followers of the way today than in Biblical times? 
2. How do we stay faithful to the way of Jesus?