[Inspiration for these reflections are adapted from PAUSES FOR LENT: 40 Words for 40 Days, Copyright © 2015 by Rev. Trevor Hudson by Upper Room Books Nashville. Both the selected Scripture and theme and initial paragraph in quotes are from Hudson.]
“I am the way.” John 14:6
“Two thousand years ago when Jesus came into our world, he offered himself to lost humanity as “the way.” Just a few years later, the earliest followers of Jesus began calling themselves “people of the Way.” (See Acts 9:2.) When we follow Jesus, we enter into a lifelong journey in his company.” (Hudson)
Today I drove on I-35. I try to avoid this road at all costs. It’s long and loud and log jammed with traffic. The average speed is way over the posted speed limit and the pressure to race my way home is always looming. The other alternative is through back country roads through towns named Pidcoke, Topsey and Rumley. These are out of the way settlements for sure. No one is ”racing” their way to Rumley, or trying to beat traffic jams in Pidcoke. The alternative of returning home through these country roads helps my heart in immense ways.
And speaking of roadways, Jesus tells us that he is ”….the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Christianity is about being in relationship with a God who makes a way. It’s about finding our direction through his directives. It’s about following his path of holiness and being received by faith into his kingdom and into his care.
This week is Holy Week, the last week in Christ’s life but also the beginning of something new. Until this time, Jesus had been visiting towns throughout Israel, spreading the good news of the Gospel, preaching repentance and healing those who needed healing. Jesus was modeling for us the way of kingdom ministry (he was not advocating popular agendas on 24-hour cable news shows!)
Jesus was pointing us to the way of imitation, salvation and restoration. And in this final week, he is sealing the deal. He’s making commitments to the Father, surrendering his pride and power, and submitting to death on a cross made by human hands. It was their sin, and ours, that put him there.
This week is the final in his earthly life on earth but the beginning of something new and amazing. The way of God, which travels directly through Jesus, is being made known to the whole world.
Will you walk the way of Christ? Will you allow his travailing week to travel into your heart this very hour?
“O Lord God, you are good. I praise you for your wonderful love and power in my life. Come, Holy Spirit, fill me with your Spirit. Help me walk according to your ways and find simplicity in your salvation and redemption in your life. This Holy Week, make your grace known to all. Help us be your hands and feet so the world might know. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen