The first time that followers of Yeshua/Jesus were called “Christians” was in Antioch (Acts 11:26)
Numerous other times, we see in the book of Acts, the followers of Yeshua/Jesus were known as “The Way” (Acts 9:1-2, 29:6-9, 19:23-26, 24:12-16, and 24:22-23.
“The Way” was an important perspective for his followers. Not only was it defined in the opening passage from Matthew 7:14 (see also the Luke 13:22-30 passage), but also here:
⦁ John 14:4-6
4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
(See further explanation in John 14:7-11, the discussion with the disciple Philip. “The Way” is based upon specific, “first-hand” knowledge of the Father.) The Sermon on the Mount, the groundbreaking message that Yeshua/Jesus brought to his followers that ”astonished” them, ends at Matthew 7:29, makes it clear that “difficult is the way,” and this is why many will not choose it. We don’t enjoy difficult” very much. The Bible software company that I use sends out periodic advertisements. Today I saw this headline:
With all due respect to “Cliff,” recent American generations are all about CliffsNotes versions of everything, including life itself. But such is not “The Way.” Difficult is “The Way.” I met youth group leaders that were teaching youth from this book, which gets more at the point:
Let’s return to Matthew 7:14 for a little deeper dive:
Going to the Septuagint for assistance in Greek to Hebrew:
⦁ Exodus 3:9
9 וְעַתָּ֕ה הִנֵּ֛ה צַעֲקַ֥ת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בָּ֣אָה אֵלָ֑י וְגַם־רָאִ֨יתִי֙ אֶת־הַלַּ֔חַץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר מִצְרַ֖יִם לֹחֲצִ֥ים אֹתָֽם׃
שאל demand לחץ oppress סלה selah cognate permutations (act to weaken/strengthen)
FYI, this is a pretty simple group with only five families included. See:
- weaken/strengthen (A25)
- relieve/apply pressure (A37)
- act in a negative manner (D52)
- move up/down (E15)
- move in a balanced way (E43)
Here, I believe, is the Scriptural message:
There is SO much more to say, but this seems like a good spot to allow you to ruminate for a while. The pressures are there in life. We can use them wisely, to strengthen ourselves, or we can allow them to conquer us. I feel bad for your child if he or she is being bullied, but don’t try to fix it yourself. Help them learn from it. My older sister walked me through such challenges when I was very young. It was a great life lesson.
Battles are won within. Narrow the Way.
Hopefully the LORD will allow a future share of the Hebrew word for Way, דרך, because it is enlightening, as well.
Ⓒ Copyright Philip E. Gates; LogAndSpeck.com November 2025. Please cite if you use this material.