The life and teaching of Jesus Christ is an instruction for us to go out of our way. The term “going out of your way” means to make a special and intentional effort to do something.

When you are told to “go out of your way”, what does that mean to you? Do you think about going out of your way to help someone? Perhaps you remember when someone went out of their way to help you.

It is very good to go out of your way to help others. Jesus Christ said, “That which you did to the least of them, you did to me.” Keeping that comment in mind should enable us to do our absolute best for one another.

As Christians, we should be good and faithful servants to the Lord, but that’s not all Jesus talks about when He asks us to go out of our way. Do good, yes… Help others, yes… but when Jesus says for us to go out of our way, He also means something deeper.

Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

When we are to go out of our way, Jesus is instructing us to go out of our own way and follow Him in His way. And His way is more than just a path to follow, He IS the way.

We are to be more like Jesus in every respect. Kindness, mercy, peace, love. All of these words are names and descriptors for God. We are to sacrifice ourselves and our own intentions for the betterment of others. In short, we are to love.

If I love you (and I do), I should want the highest and best thing for you. What’s that?

Heaven.

Like Jesus, I should be ready and willing to do whatever it takes to get you to Heaven. I can’t sit idle while you follow this fallen world into hell. I must tell you about Jesus and His life, death, burial, and resurrection that was done to pay for your sins. I must tell you about God’s love for you.

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in His shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

That’s God’s way. Love! That is Jesus Christ.

The blood of Jesus shed on the cross paid your debt. That sacrifice broke the chains that bound you to your old sinful ways. Now, you are truly free to go out of your way.

God’s blessings to you.

DH