The Way

 John 14:1-14

Followers of the Way, this is what the first followers were called. Its a shame we got rid of the term. It was a way of discipleship, of trust, of holding things in common for the benefit of the whole.

In the old Celtic monasteries there wasn't just links or nuns, they were made up of a whole interdependent community. This way was lost long ago, just like calling ourselves people of the Way disappeared.

What does it mean to follow in the Way of Jesus? We have to really examine his life to know. Who did he call to him? Fishermen, tax men, a zealot, followers of John, unbelievers like Thomas and Nathaniel and if you don't know what some of the titles mean then we are missing a lot. The people Jesus called were not the best and brightest or the most respected. 

Fishermen were rough, considered so because there was a high tax of their harvest by Rome. They would try and make sure Rome didn't let them go hungry. A zealot was someone who thought the Messiah would come and make Rome pay for being their oppressor. Then add in a tax collector who was clearly in league with Rome because they collected for the state. Now put this crew together. Jesus did.

Along the way he healed on roadways in synagogues, he fed people, picked up women off the ground about to be stoned, and taught people what the Kingdom of God should look like. This brought him into trouble with the religious leaders who were already trying to reform Judaism and this was not what they wanted to hear, especially if it included turning the other cheek when Rome slapped them.

Following the Way leads us deeply into the paths of grace and mercy. A love so strong and bold as to think, know, hearts would be turned to the kingdom. It is the way we are supposed to follow in. A few years ago we did a vacation bible school on the parables of the kingdom. We walked to places and gave out handmade cards, we worked in giving food out with the food pantry, we looked at the creation around us more deeply and we found the connections for the pearl, the mustard seed, and others. This is what we all need to do.

Make the connections to walk the Way. Reach out to those considered unreachable. Have a care for those who are forgotten or who don't seem to fit. Follow the Way Jesus walked and you just might find yourself a disciple.