Follow

FOLLOW
John 14:1-6
V.6: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

The word follow literally means, to be found in the way. Jesus’ audience, in ancient Rome, would have understood clearly what He was talking about. Rome was famous for its roads, which criss-crossed the empire. These wide, heavily-traveled highways are what the people would have pictured that Jesus meant when He referred to Himself as “the way”. For sure, Jesus is the way to the Father, and certainly the way to Heaven—but there is so much more.

Cutting through the underbrush in the jungle of our lives, we can successfully navigate to victory with Jesus as our trail-guide. Just like the state clears the landscape to lay down concrete for our interstates, Jesus plows the road to show us the way to righteous living.

The world honors people who love their friends, and hate their enemies. Jesus shows us how to love our enemies. (Matthew 5:44). We naturally judge and criticize others, but Jesus tells us to clean up our own lives before pointing out another’s flaws. (Matthew 7:3-4). While our instincts selfishly cause us to hoard our wealth, Jesus instructs us to give generously. (Luke 12:13-14).

These paradoxical tendencies are only re-engineered into righteousness by Master Jesus. He’s calling us to leave the old ways that are paths to destruction, and follow Him. He’d love it if we were all in the way, tripping Him on the path of righteousness. Then He’d be smiling ear-to-ear, assured that we were on the right path.

Does your dog trip you when you walk him or her, criss-crossing your path? Is your dog trying to lead by following, or follow by leading? Notice that (s)he constantly looks at your face. You both eventually end up in the right place, don’t you?

Take Home Nugget

We can choose to continue walking on the familiar path—but this path ultimately ends in our destruction. Or, we can choose to follow Jesus and be “in the way” with the One Who IS the Way!

We really don’t have to know where we’re heading or even see the way if we’re following the One Who IS the Way.

J.D. Griffith

As people of the Lord we’re called
To follow in His way;
And though the world won’t understand,
They’ll see Him on display.

Sper

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Written for Bible Study for Kids.