What Is "The Way of Christ?"Sample

This is The Way

In the television show The Mandalorian, the repeated phrase “This is the Way” is a sober reminder for the exiled religious warriors of Mandalore. It’s a call to keep to their code, shorthand for keeping your helmet on, remembering that the mission comes first, and sacrificing for the sake of the cause.

It’s a stirring theme, especially for men, because deep down, aren’t we all wired to live by a code and a mission that will require everything we have to give?

When Jesus says, “I am the Way” (John 14:6)* He’s not just calling men to live and die as warrior-monks in the Star Wars universe (although Mandalorian-style jetpacks and blasters would be cool). Instead, He is calling men to a radical lifestyle that, like the Mandalorians, will require grit, commitment, and sacrifice.

The early disciples understood this. Before they were even called “Christians,” followers of Jesus were known as people of “the Way” (Acts 9:2). Walking with Jesus meant walking in His ways, so much so that the phrase described the whole movement.

So what exactly is “The Way of Christ?”

The Way of Christ means a man lives as Jesus did (1 John 2:6).

The Way of Christ means a man must kill his ego daily so that Christ can be seen more clearly (John 3:30).

The Way of Christ means a man sacrificially gives of himself in acts of service for others (Matthew 20:28).

And The Way of Christ means a man devotes his life to glorifying God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Ultimately, it can be seen as the narrow path (Matthew 7:14), walked by men who are fuelled by grace, strengthened by suffering, and equipped by the Holy Spirit to glorify God.

We will explore these things and more over this next week together.

This is The Way.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to follow the Way not just with my words, but with my whole life. Help me to walk in full allegiance to Christ, even when it’s costly or countercultural. Make me a man of conviction, discipline, and courage. Amen.

Reflection: Today, ask yourself: What “code” are you living by? What would it look like to say “This is the Way” about following after Jesus?

* Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references for this devotional will be from the English Standard Version (ESV).