Read Luke 24:13-27
“Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you shall find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16) This path was laid long ago. It is not one of ancient tradition, of how things use to be done or ought to be done, but the hard, often steep path of faith and obedience. It winds through Scripture and is desperately needed in our lives.
That ancient path wound through the Garden of Eden. Daily God walked it with Adam and Eve “in the cool of the day.” (Genesis 3:8) The path led to the meadow of fellowship. Noah traveled that ancient path daily as he hauled lumber and feed, carrying out the work the Lord gave him. He led the animals, some two-by-two, others in groups of seven, down the same path right up the gangplank into the ark. Though the whole earth was flooded, every manmade road erased, Noah found the ancient path leading from the ark into a world washed clean. Abraham followed that same path out of Haran into the land God showed him. No map, just a promise – “and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you.” (Genesis 12:2) Joseph walked that path in slavery. Moses followed it back to his past and then forward to the Promised Land. Though he led a multitude out of Egypt only a few followed him along the ancient path of obedience. Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, David, Esther, Ruth, Daniel ... all individuals who one by one chose this path. Then for four hundred years God’s word is silent. Who walked the path then – anyone? No one? “Ask for the ancient paths …but they said, ‘We will not walk in it.”
The path of faith became overgrown with willfulness and apathy. Yet the worn trail remained, though faint from disuse. Then once again it was traveled. A way as made through the thorny vines of willfulness and weeds of indifference, crushed beneath the feet of God Himself. Jesus left the throne of glory and followed the ancient path to the cross to die for us. It is at the foot of the cross where we begin our journey along the ancient path.
A path is narrow by nature. To walk it with another requires walking behind in the footsteps of the one who goes before. This time we follow Jesus’ footsteps. The ancient path may be long and at times very difficult, but it leads to a road paved in gold in the eternal kingdom of our God and Savior. It leads to a place prepared for us where “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6) It leads to a place where “I shall find rest for my soul.” Step by step, we need the Lord to lead us down “the ancient path, where the good way is.”
It is a choice. May ours continually be: “We will walk in it.” Lead the way, Lord, we will walk the ancient path with you!
Making It Personal
This couple thought they were on the road to Emmaus, but it turned out be the ancient path of faith and obedience. What did Jesus tell this couple as they traveled on together?
What role does studying and knowing God’s word play in your walking down this ancient path?
In the busyness of serving the Lord it is easy to push aside this important discipline. It is like traveling without a map. What was the first instruction given in Jeremiah 6:16? What does this mean to you?
Traveling down the ancient path is a choice. The people in Jeremiah’s day chose not to follow it. What was the result according to Jeremiah 18:12 and 15?
What does it mean to you to commit today to walk down the ancient path with Jesus?
