Long before Christians were called by that name they were spoken of as followers of "the way" or "the road." By this designation, the early Christians sought to show that they were following Jesus and the way He had lived and traveled. This "way," of course, was the way of the cross. His followers lived daily with the awareness of the words of Christ, "He who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me- (Matt. 10:38). The summons from the Master Teacher is still to come walk in the way. "We must be men of the way," Leslie Weatherhead has observed, "until, while men are too reticent to say so, they may know in their hearts that we have a secret, the clue to life's meaning and purpose and joy, and turn and find their way to his feet."1 For those who are willing to walk in it, the way of Christ offers direction, meaning, and genuine happiness. The Beatitudes of Jesus provide light along the path of life as we seek to walk in His way. "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him" (Col. 2:6 KJV). "Walk in the light, as he is in the light" (1 John 1:7 KJV).

While he was professor emeritus of New Testament at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, Frank Stagg read my manuscript and offered me the benefit of his critical counsel. I still am appreciative of the insights I have learned from him along life’s way, and his death has removed a gifted New Testament scholar. Unless indicated otherwise, the Scripture selections are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyrighted 1952 and 1971.