If someone told you that they knew the way to the path of blessing, wouldn’t you be excited? That phrase conjures up such delightful images that just hearing it is bound to make us smile. Let’s see—the path of blessing should have gorgeous flowers, abundant sunshine, perhaps a gleaming ocean side villa. Whatever it has to offer, we would not doubt that it is a path that we would like to travel—or would we?
A couple of weeks go, my husband was reading aloud to me from John 13 when he read about “the path of blessing.” Jesus had just finished washing His disciples’ feet at the last supper. “Since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow: do as I have done to you….a servant is not greater than his master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends him. You know these things—now do them! That is the path of blessing.” (John 13:14-17, Living Bible) Jesus says that the path of blessing lies in following His example. First, we must get to know Him. Then, we must serve others and treat them with the same love and compassion that He shows to us.
Suddenly, the path looks less inviting. Those delightful mental images fade and are replaced by visions of hard work and unending service. A path that includes washing dusty feet is not the glamorous path that we would like to envision for ourselves. We must remember, however, that the path was first trod by Jesus Christ. When we walk that path, we are literally walking in His footsteps. Most of us have dreamed about visiting the Holy Land and “walking where He walked and standing where He stood.” When we choose His path of blessing, we are doing just that—without ever leaving home.
Jesus also says that He is the Way—not a way, not one way, the Way. “I am the Way—yes, and the Truth and the Life. No one can get to the Father except by means of me.” (John 14:6) The next time someone tells you that he wants to be blessed, tell him that you know about The Way to the path called the path of blessing. Then turn to John, chapters thirteen and fourteen, and show him the only way to find peace and fulfillment. Tell him that by accepting Jesus Christ as his savior and following His example, he will find the only Way—the Way that is the path of blessing.
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