Before followers of Jesus were known as Christians, the book of Acts tells us they were called The Way. That’s because following Jesus is not so much about professing a set of theological beliefs as it is living into a new way of life through the power of the Holy Spirit. In our deeply divided nation, we would do well to recover what it means to be followers of The Way. In a recent online newsletter, Marian Wright Edelman, founder and President of the Children’s Defense Fund, summarized the way of Jesus by quoting the well known Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and contrasting each one with the ways of division and hostility that characterize much of our current national life. Any of us who “believe” in Jesus are called to a daily commitment to grow into living the Way of Jesus and to resist the world’s way:
Lord, You told us, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
The world says, “Blessed are those high on spirits.”
You said, “Blessed are those who mourn.”
The world says, “Blessed are those who maim and torture.”
You said, “Blessed are the meek.”
The world says, “Blessed are the arrogant and the strong.”
You said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”
The world says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for fleeting power and fame.”
You said, “Blessed are the merciful.”
The world says, “Blessed are the mercenary and punitive.”
You said, “Blessed are the pure in heart.”
The world says, “Blessed are the hard of heart.”
You said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
The world says, “Blessed are the weaponmakers.”
You said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.”
The world says, “Blessed are those who persecute for the sake of riches and race.”
You said, “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil about you falsely on my account.”
The world says, “Blessed are you when people applaud and praise you for your own sake.”
Help us, Lord, to find our way to You.