The Footsteps of Jesus

In life we see people choosing various individuals to be their role model. Some of those people make a very good role models and some are just terrible role models. If you choose to live like one of your role models; then your life will perhaps end up something like that individuals. Some role models can lead people to success. And some can lead people to spiral out of control and to self destruct.

The life of the man from Galilee (Jesus Christ) is not the typical role model that today's people are looking for. However no man or woman that has ever lived can touch the hem of the garments of this perfect role model. To follow in the steps of Jesus; can lead a man to the greatest success that he could possibly obtained as a human being. The Bible says, “...because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps (1 Peter 2:21). Jesus lived a perfect life and pleased God in all things. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). What does it mean for us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus today?

If we look at the life and times of Jesus, we will see that there were many trials and temptations that he had to endure and he had to keep all the commandments of God without faltering. How well do you do when you fall into to trials and temptations? Do you put God’s commandments as your number one priority? Jesus said, “If you love me keep my commandments”
(John 14:15).

Christ has left us many examples that will benefit us today. For one, we should follow him into baptism. Before Jesus began his public ministry he went to John the baptizer and was baptized. John was a little hesitant about baptizing the Son of God. But Jesus said, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15). Jesus began his work by going to be immersed by John. We must began our work by being faithful followers and being immersed (baptized).

We remember the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch. The Bible says, “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?... And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:36, 38). When Philip taught the Ethiopian Eunuch about God, he wanted to be immersed. We know that we have to Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess, and be Baptized to wash away our sins (Acts 2:38). Before we can start living the Christian life, we must first become right in the site of God.

Jesus gave us many examples as he dealt with temptations. Jesus was hardly dry from his baptism by John, before Satan came to tempt him in the wilderness. In the story of this temptation (Matt. 4:1-11). We see with each temptation; Jesus quotes a Bible verse to counter Satan’s advancements. This gives us an insight to the power of God’s written word. We note also that Satan quoted scripture. Satan knows the Bible no doubt from cover to cover, but he tried to twist the words of God. This did not work with Jesus, but most of the churches in the world today are formed by not rightly interpreting (understanding) the word of God. This no doubt is a ploy of Satan.

When one becomes a Christian then he is truly an enemy of Satan. Satan does not have to worry about those that are already lost. The Christian will have to endure more persecution than the non-Christian (John 15:20). We must follow Christ’s example to worship. “And, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read” (Luke 4:16). Even in Jesus' time there were hypocrites, but that did not stop him from going to worship. If one refuses to worship because of hypocrites in the church, then they must be smaller than a hypocrite to hide behind one. It is essential that we go to church to worship God. Christ died for the Church (Acts 20:28). We are commanded to go to church: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is” (Heb. 10:25).