Discipleship: Following in His Footsteps (Text: 1 Peter 2:21-25)
The late T. B. Maston made a statement in a seminary class that John Mills wrote down in his notebook. Maston told the class, "All the claims of Christ can be summed up in two words -- 'Follow Me'." When John wrote that significant statement in his notebook he placed a question mark in the margin. He wondered whether that was an overstatement.
Recently, while John was preparing for his move to his new home in retirement, he came across that notebook and reread the statement. He erased the question mark from the margin. John said, "I am convinced that the only way to win the world is to understand Jesus' challenge and take seriously all that it implies."
Simon Peter was one of those early disciples who heard Jesus say, "Follow Me." After many years of experience he knew much more about the implications of that invitation. In
1 Peter 2:21, he summarized both the costly sacrifice of Christ on our behalf and the challenging call to every one of His followers: "For to this you were called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that you should follow His steps" (NKJV).
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When Peter used the Greek word which is translated "example," he was employing an illustration from his childhood. The word literally means "writing under." This word was utilized by the ancient Greeks to describe the practice of teaching children how to write. At that time children learned the skill of writing by literally tracing over written letters.
Peter moves from the idea of a child learning to write to a Christian planting his feet in the footsteps of Jesus. In this context, the footprints or footsteps of Christ are ones of suffering. However, the illustration is applicable in a much broader way. Just as a young student follows the shape of the letters of his teacher, and therefore learns to write, even so the Christian patterns his life after the life of the Master and thus learns how to live.
A Christian is one who follows in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. The Greek word follow means "to take the same road" as someone else. A Christian is one who does just that -- he follows in the footsteps of Jesus down the same road of life.
Charles M. Sheldon wrote a book many years ago that has become a classic. The book tells the story of how a pastor and his congregation committed themselves to following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. In every situation of life they would ask, "What would Jesus do?" Then these devoted people would seek to do what they felt Jesus would do. As they followed in the footsteps of Jesus they found themselves becoming more and more like Him. The book was appropriately entitled In His Steps.
How can we follow in the footsteps of Jesus? Reflect upon some characteristics of our Lord's life and ministry and learn how we can follow His example. What are the ways in which we can follow in His footsteps?
1. We Need to Follow in the Footsteps of His Priority.