Bulletins
Footsteps of Jesus
1 Peter 2:21: For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,
One of the things accomplished by the Son of God’s descension to earth was the provision of a perfect example to follow. Consider five specific practices exemplified by Jesus that we must imitate.
Self-Denial – In Matthew 16:21, “Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.” Such suffering was not Peter’s will for the Lord, so he rebuked Jesus and, inadvertently, promoted Satan’s will by trying to stop Jesus from going through with the Father’s will (verses 22-23).
After Jesus rebuked Peter, “Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me’” (verse 24). Christ was prepared to forsake His own comforts to submit to the Father’s will. He taught that His followers must do likewise.
Taking up our crosses, as verse 24 refers to, involves forsaking and pursuing anything necessary to please God. Like Jesus, we must always choose pleasing God above pleasing self (cf. Matt. 26:39).
Servitude – Jesus’ example of self-denial shows us that doing great things for God is not about seeking preeminence, popularity, and possessions, but about being a servant for God and others.
In Matthew 20:21, James and John’s mother asked Jesus to give preeminence to her sons. The other ten were angry upon hearing this (verse 24). In verses 25-27, Jesus contrasted the disciples’ carnal view of greatness with the attitude of servitude God wants. Then He noted the perfect example of servitude in verse 28: even as the Son of Man came not be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
John 13:3 says that Jesus knew “that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He came from God, and was going to God.” It’s striking that this statement showing Jesus’ superiority is followed by a description of Him serving those He is superior to (verses 4-12). In verse 14, Jesus explained that we must imitate such servitude. This is the setting for His statement, “For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you” (verse 15).
Humility – By becoming a servant, the Son of God perfectly exemplified what it means to humble oneself.
After commanding humility and love in Philippians 2:3-4, the Holy Spirit exhorted, “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (verse 5).
He went on to note at least three ways by which Christ perfectly exemplified humility: (1) by taking on human form, though He is Deity (verses 6-7), (2) by being perfectly obedient to the will of the Father (verse 8), and (3) by dying a humiliating death by crucifixion (verse 8).
If the Son of God was willing to humble Himself, how much more should we eagerly humble ourselves?
Forgiveness – Jesus’ willingness to forgive is also an example to imitate.
In Luke 23:34, Jesus was being crucified because of others’ envy. He reacted by saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
Jesus’ statement was not excusing evildoing. It did, though, show that Jesus had no resentment or bitterness toward those who treated Him terribly. He desired their repentance, rather than wanting the worst for those who mistreated Him. Such is the essence of having a forgiving heart.
No one has ever mistreated us as much as we have mistreated Christ. If He is willing to forgive us upon submission to His terms, how much more should we eagerly forgive others (cf. Col. 3:13)?
Perseverance – The primary example of Jesus emphasized in 1 Peter 2:21 is His perseverance in doing right, even when it was difficult. Notice verses 22-23: who didn’t sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.” When he was cursed, he didn’t curse back. When he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously.
While most people use suffering as an excuse for doing wrong, Christ always sought the way of escape from sin instead of an excuse to sin.
In these and other ways, Christ’s supreme example shines bright for us to see. May we come to the light and truly follow the footsteps of Jesus.
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