In a world that often feels chaotic and directionless, discovering true purpose begins with embracing “The Jesus Way,” a path rooted in the earliest days of Christianity, which Jesus Himself demonstrated and taught. Long before followers of Jesus were called Christians, they were simply known as “The Way.” This name appeared soon after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, as seen in Acts 9:2 when Saul sought to persecute those belonging to “The Way.” It represented a deep identity, directly tied to Jesus’ statement in John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
For these early believers in the mid-AD 30s, “The Way” was much more than a label. It expressed their core beliefs and way of life amid persecution, which ironically helped spread the faith like distributaries from a mighty river of God’s grace across the known world. They saw Jesus as the only way to salvation, a commitment that required personal allegiance to Him as Savior and Lord. It represented a unique lifestyle characterized by moral change and dedication to God. This separated them from both Jewish traditions and the surrounding Greco-Roman culture. “The Way” also held an eschatological hope, pointing to God’s inaugurated kingdom through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, fulfilling messianic promises. It built a strong community among believers who stood boldly against the pluralistic world, where many philosophies and religions claimed their own “ways” to truth. In a hostile environment, calling themselves “The Way” was both a theological declaration and a practical stance: Jesus alone is the divinely chosen path.
This ancient title revives a timeless truth for today: true purpose is found in “The Jesus Way.” At its heart lies a singular, profound calling that transcends every vocation, season, or circumstance; whether changing diapers, closing deals, treating patients, teaching students, or mopping floors. That purpose is to know God and make Him known. Jesus defined eternal life in these terms in John 17:3: “And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Eternal life begins the moment we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, unfolding as an ever-deepening, personal relationship with the Father through the Son by the Holy Spirit. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism famously states, humanity’s chief end is “to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” We glorify Him most fully when we enjoy Him deeply, and that enjoyment flows from truly knowing Him.
Yet this knowledge is never meant to remain private. The Jesus Way is inherently outward-oriented. The God who saves us calls us to be ambassadors, sharing Him so others can know Him too. Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20 tells us to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them, with His promised presence always with us. Paul echoed this balance: everything we do, even eating or drinking, should glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31), while we proclaim Christ to help everyone grow mature in Him (Colossians 1:28). Our lives center on knowing Christ intimately (Philippians 3:10) and faithfully making Him known. Every role and relationship becomes a platform for this dual purpose, which is the heartbeat of The Jesus Way.
One vivid expression of this path is embracing humility and servant leadership, directly countering the world’s pursuit of status and control. Jesus modeled it dramatically by washing His disciples’ feet in John 13:12–15, insisting that as Teacher and Lord, His example of selfless service must shape theirs. He flipped worldly hierarchies: the greatest is the servant of all. In daily life, this means “washing feet” through acts of kindness, sacrifice, and mentorship that build others up in faith, hope, and love.
Consider Paul, a 32-year-old nurse and father. At home, exhausted from shifts, he partners with his wife in chores and patiently helps his discouraged son with homework, reflecting Jesus’ servant heart and fostering a home of mutual care. At work in a chaotic hospital, he steps in to help overwhelmed colleagues. He responds kindly to difficult patients, listening to their fears and, when asked, humbly sharing his faith that transforming his workplace through quiet, Christ-like service. At church, despite a packed schedule, he serves on the kids ministry team, offering gentle encouragement to anxious kids and creating a welcoming community.
Two thousand years later, believers still belong to “The Way,” sharing the good news as everyday missionaries in homes, workplaces, schools, and communities, even amid opposing worldviews. We declare allegiance to Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life, living it out both theologically and practically in a diverse, often hostile world. True purpose and life are found only in Him. For those who have never accepted Christ, the invitation remains: choose Jesus and His way today. For believers, the call is to recommit to Christ and His way. Know God deeply and faithfully make Him known, one humble, servant-hearted step at a time. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!