War has been part of human history since the beginning, and it still shapes the headlines and our hearts today. But how should followers of Jesus think about war? In this episode of 10:10 Thrive, we turn to Jesus’ words and actions to find His radical guidance. From His declaration before Pilate that His kingdom is “not of this world” to His command to Peter to put away the sword, Jesus reveals that His kingdom is not built on violence but on peace, truth, and sacrificial love.

We explore how Jesus reframes victory itself—not as defeating enemies but as reconciling with them. His call to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us confronts the very logic of war, which depends on hatred and destruction. Instead of glorifying violence, He blesses the peacemakers and calls us to embody reconciliation in a broken world. At the cross, He absorbs the violence of humanity into Himself and shows that real power lies in forgiveness, mercy, and resurrection life.

In our “Get Deep” section, we ask what this teaching reveals about Jesus’ character and mission. He is the Prince of Peace, the reconciler of enemies, and the King who reigns not with armies but with a cross. Finally, we turn to our lives today: how can we pray for peace, reject hatred, become peacemakers, and bear witness to a kingdom not of this world?

We begin today’s episode by examining Jesus' bold claim to be "the way, the truth, and the life," asserting that He is the living road to God the Father. This idea is then illustrated through the book of Acts, where the early Church, referred to as "the Way," actively demonstrates that a path to God is open to all people—Jew and Gentile alike. The episode emphasizes that Jesus is not just a distant guide, but the one who walks ahead of His people, ensuring their journey cannot be blocked.

The devotional then delves into the rich theological context of Jesus as the "Waymaker," drawing from the New Testament epistles. The text highlights how Christ, through His sacrifice, broke down the barriers that separated humanity from God, establishing a "new and living way" into God's presence. This pivotal shift from the old covenant's strict temple rituals to direct access through Jesus' once-for-all sacrifice is a central theme in books like Hebrews. These epistles serve as a theological map, detailing the road Jesus carved into the very heart of heaven, a path now accessible to all believers.

The journey culminates in the breathtaking vision of the New Jerusalem in the book of Revelation. In this final destination, Jesus is both the Way and the Destination, leading His people to an eternal city where there is no more sorrow or pain. The episode concludes by weaving in insights from early church fathers, who saw Jesus as the fulfillment of prophetic promises and the one who restored access to God lost since Eden. Ultimately, the devotional is a powerful call to walk the Way Jesus has made with faith, courage, and a deep reliance on Him as both our path and our final destination.

The term “The Way” (Greek: hē hodos) was a prominent early Christian self-designation used repeatedly in the Book of Acts to describe the movement of those who followed Jesus Christ. First appearing in Acts 9:2, it reflected both Jesus’ own claim in John 14:6—“I am the way, the truth, and the life”—and the early believers’ understanding of their faith as a living journey with Him. It was more than a title; it embodied a lifestyle that combined moral transformation, communal care, worship, and mission. “The Way” distinguished the Christian movement from other religious and philosophical systems of the time by being both exclusive in its claim that Jesus was the only way to God, and radically inclusive in welcoming all people into its fellowship.

For the early church, “The Way” meant following a Person, not merely adopting a set of beliefs or rituals. This identity was lived out through daily practices—sharing resources, breaking bread, forgiving enemies, proclaiming the gospel—and through steadfastness in the face of opposition, as seen in Paul’s ministry and trials. Luke’s repeated use of the term shows it was widely recognized across the early Christian world, from Jerusalem to Ephesus, as a unifying expression of discipleship. Over time, “Christian” became the more common designation, yet “The Way” remained a powerful theological reminder that faith in Jesus is not static but dynamic, involving movement, obedience, and growth.

For believers today, “The Way” is a call to radical discipleship that touches every aspect of life. It challenges us to align our decisions, relationships, and ambitions with Christ’s example; to live in community marked by love, generosity, and truth; and to see faith as a continual journey toward God. In a culture offering many “ways” to live, the example of the early church urges us to walk the narrow road with joy and perseverance. This path is open to all who will follow Christ, yet it is distinct from every other because it leads to eternal life in Him. Walking “The Way” today means embracing transformation, traveling together as God’s people, and pointing others to the One who is both the road and the destination.