“This is the way.”
So says the titular character in The Mandalorian, a hugely successful TV show (and current favorite of the Daniel family) now streaming on Disney+. The Mandalorian is a bounty hunter who abides by an ancient belief system called the “Way of the Mandalore,” which requires him, among other things, to keep his helmet on whenever he’s in the presence of other people. So, throughout the show, characters will ask him to remove his helmet and he refuses, saying: “This is the way.”
I wonder if we Christians can learn something from this sci-fi hero – not so much about helmets (although, perhaps, mask-wearing?), but about faithfulness and discipleship. Like the Mandalorian, we have a way to follow through life. Except our way is not an ancient belief system, but a person who is himself the Way. Remember what Jesus told his disciples in John 14? “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Remember what Jesus said to the fishermen in Mark 1? “Come, follow me.” These verses remind us that if we want to know the way, we should start by knowing Jesus – and then we should follow as he leads us.
My hope for myself, you, and our congregation is that we might walk in the way of Christ in every aspect of our lives. These are disorienting times, and it’s easy for us to lose our way. We Christians, like everyone else, have not been at our best lately. As the world has changed around us, we’ve struggled to find our footing. Yet God is good, his grace is sufficient, and he invites us again and again back to the way of Christ. We know from Mark’s Gospel that this is a way of baptism, calling, friendship, mission, and compassion. As Lent begins, we will see that it’s also a way of cross-bearing, simplicity, service, and self-giving love. None of this is easy, but it’s so, so worth it. This is the way.
Yours in Christ,
Blake
