“He that saith he abides in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” 1 John 2:6
Dear Ones:
In the book of Isaiah, the Lord speaks to Israel using very comforting words: “I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known.” (42:16) It is very apparent by these words that the Lord is sovereign with regard to where, and how he leads the individual, the family, and the nation. Because of the limitations of man, his distorted vision at times because of sin and selfishness, he is considered to be spiritually blind. He cannot see. It is at this point that the One who sees all things past, present, and future, all things that are visible and invisible, comes to his aid to guide and lead. Sometimes, it is by “a way that they knew not.” It is completely new, and unchartered territory. It is in the provision of the “direction” that God gives, that He reveals HOW one is to walk, while being led. The Apostle John gives us great clarity as to whose steps we are to follow, and how this unchartered way is to be walked. The criteria is very simple: “…even as He walked.” Christ is not only the example, but the very essence and power of that walk. Only by a life of abiding in Him, and He in the believer, will this walking in His steps be accomplished in a manner worthy of Him.
The Apostle Peter also writes concerning this walk, specifically that of following in the steps of Jesus. He writes: “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow in His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21) Why does Peter associate the matter of suffering with walking in the steps of Christ? The answer lies in the fact that it is difficult, and that there is spiritual opposition to such a walk. Peter goes on to write: “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind.” (1 Peter 4:1) The believer is not to be a novice in believing that following Christ will be without trials, temptations, opposition, or as Paul puts adds, “suffering persecution.” But what is essential to see in this picture is the blessing of being IN Christ, knowing Him in the difficulty and trial. If one looks at the testimony of those who have gone before, we find that they had tasted that which was heavenly…and were like Moses who “…endured, as seeing Him who is invisible.” (Heb.11:27) The great reward, which was present and future, was in the unveiling, the apprehension, of the knowledge and experience of Christ Himself. Paul would write that he had, “…suffered the loss of all things…that I may win Christ…that I may KNOW Christ, and the power of His resurrection.” (Phil. 3: 8,9) What was it that inspired, motivated, and enabled the believers of old, to choose to follow Christ, wherever He went and led, even though along unfamiliar paths? It was the indescribable, incalculable, and unexplainable worth of knowing Him. It was as the hymn so simply puts it: “… and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
What then does the believer do to walk in Jesus’ steps? When the Lord Jesus called His disciples, His addressed them by saying: “Follow Me.” Even after the resurrection, when Peter addressed Jesus concerning the apostle John’s calling, the Lord would say to him: “What is that to you? You follow Me.” (Jn. 21:22) To follow in Christ’s footsteps is not to be preoccupied with the footsteps themselves, but with Christ. He is to be the object of our walking, and the very essence and enabling of it. The value and worth of such a walk is immeasurable. The means and grace provided to accomplish it, however so simple or difficult, is more than abundant.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see the Lord Jesus as we worship Him. Strengthen us to fix our eyes upon Him, to follow Him, regardless of the difficulty. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad