One of my Christmas presents this year was a port under the skin on my right shoulder. It was supposed to reduce the number of needle sticks. Instead of trying to find and missing a vein they just stick the needle into the center of the lump on my shoulder. It still hurts when they stick me but at least it is limited to one stick. The port provides access to a large central vein thus creating a more efficient way into my heart.
We have all heard the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, which is a fairly accurate metaphor. Jesus loved using metaphors. Over and again He applied them to Himself. John 14:6 is one that was used by the early Christian church. He called Himself The Way. He was and is the way into the heart of His Father. “The Father loves the son and has placed everything in his hands.” When I was a pastor I learned the way to a church members heart was by learning the names of their children and greeting each child by name.
The Way was the name for the early church. When I was a boy the church I attended used to ask, “How long have you been in the truth?” Early Christians asked, “How long have you been in The Way?” Jesus is the way to the Father and the way to eternal life. Often we become so obsessed with the destination we forget there is much joy while we are on the way. Overcoming obstacles, negotiating detours, growing wiser by allowing Jesus, The Way, to be in us makes us stronger and better people.
Written by Roger Bothwell on April 12, 2017
rogerbothwell.org