By BroKen
When Christianity was young there were different names for those who were following Jesus of Nazareth. Some people called them “Nazarenes” because of where Jesus was raised. You can find that term used in Acts 24:5. Yet it is also clear that the term “Christian”, which means “of Christ” or “belonging to Christ”, was also used very early on. Acts 11:26 says that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. So, by the time Luke wrote his account, the use of “Christian” to describe the followers of Jesus was so common that he decided to explain where the term originated.
But there is another interesting term which was used to describe the faith that Jesus is the Christ. That term is simply, “The Way”. You can find that term used by Luke in Acts 19:9, 23 and also Acts 24:22. This term is a bit of a play on words. Of course, it refers to the manner of living of those who follow Jesus; their way of life. But it also refers to Jesus Himself because He said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
I mention all that merely because I wrote a poem which uses “the Way” to describe faith in Christ. Well, it is a song, actually. I can't sing it for you now, but if you know the tune to Paul Simon's “Me and Julio, Down by the Schoolyard” then you can sing it yourself. Don't blame me if those around you ask you to shut up! Here are the words...
When the teacher said
All matter is dead
And the universe is dyin',
I looked in my heart;
Wondered, “How did it start?”
Could it be
Someone is lyin'?
Well, it just can't be.
Not if we are free.
Something has to be
Beyond what we see.
Now, some people say
That we on the Way
Are engaged in wishful thinkin'.
But if they are right
Day is dark as the night.
We die merrily
Eatin' and drinkin'.
But we're on the Way.
It won't be long 'til we're there.
We're on the Way.
It remains to be seen
What we will be.
There'll be no cryin'!
There'll be no more sorrow,
When Jesus comes
To take us to our home.
When Jesus comes
To take us to our home.
In the here and now
We take us a vow
To love like a flowing fountain
Comin' down from on high.
Even though we all die,
We will meet at the top of the mountain.
'Cause we're on the Way.
It won't be long 'til we're there.
We're on the Way.
It remains to be seen
What we will be.
There'll be no dyin'!
Just wait 'til tomorrow,
When Jesus comes
To take us to our home.
When Jesus comes
To take us to our home.
(Well, I said I couldn't sing it for you, but, lookie here! I recorded this with my phone, so, don't expect too much.)
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