The footsteps of the one to follow (1 Peter 2:21)
Glory be to God
The footsteps of the one to follow
"Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps " 1 Peter 2:21.
In our christian life as a Christian we are called to follow Christ. Even Jesus Christ in this earthly life endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, despising the shame, endured the cross and suffered thereby showing us a life of example (Hebrews 12:2-3). Therefore, no matter whatever sufferings the world and the worldlings bring against us since Jesus Christ called us to follow Him let us go forward steadily in following the footsteps of Jesus. Confirming our mind and go forward by exhorting to continue in the faith, and through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts14:22). Here we have to pay attention that it is clearly said in order that we to follow Him it is not the examples but example which is mentioned in singular tense. We have got only one example, and only one way to follow. If we follow that example and go through the way of Jesus we can go to the presence of the Father and reach zion (John 14:6). Jesus when He was in the days of flesh wanting those who come to Jesus to follow Him. Hearkening to the call 'follow me' His disciples following Jesus (Matthew 4:19,21-22,9:9). Jesus even calling the rich young man to follow Him (Matthew 19:21). A great multitude and even many women following Him by ministering Jesus were behind Him by following Him (Matthew 20:29,27:55). Therefore let us also faithfully follow the example thereby follow Jesus.
When we give heed to the matter in following Jesus all the sheep of the good Shepherd following Jesus by hearing the voice of Jesus (John 10:3-4). There are other sheep which is not of this fold are led by Jesus by hearing the voice of Jesus (John 10:16). Therefore the footsteps which we ought to keep as an example is hearkening to the voice of Jesus to any individual who desire to follow Him. Therefore the clearness of following Jesus is hearing the voice of Jesus and living according to His word (Matthew 7:21-27). It is true that any other works other than what Jesus commanded is not worthy for the kingdom of God. Even Jesus did not do any works of His own but what Father taught (John 8:28) and what Father showed accordingly Jesus worked (John 5:19).
Thereby we become the followers of the Lord since we received the word in much affliction with joy of the Holy Ghost (1Thessalonians 1:6). Therefore let us learn obedience and be perfected through sufferings as Jesus (Hebrews 5:8). Blessed are those that hear His word and walking in His ways, watching daily at the gates, waiting at the posts of His doors, hearing His word and obeying (Proverbs 8:32-34). When we think in other way sitting daily in the morning in the presence of God and confessing Jesus is our Lord and praying to teach to do His will thereby yielding ourselves for God's will. Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth and lead us into the land of uprightness (Psalm 143:10).
The disciples who followed Jesus says that they have left everything and followed Jesus (Mark 10:28). Even Jesus clearly says whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath cannot be His disciple (Luke 14:33). Therefore any individual who desire to follow Jesus must be ready to forsake everything for the sake of Jesus and for the sake of the gospel. Jesus saith in truth for such will receive an hundredfold now in this time with persecutions and in the world to come eternal life (Mark 10:29-30). Therefore the suffering in forsaking we must endure and let us follow our Jesus.
In further, Jesus says if any desire to follow Jesus let him deny himself and take up the cross and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24). If any hate not his own life also cannot be the disciple of Jesus (Luke 14:26). Apostle Paul says he count not his life dear unto himself (Acts 20:24). Therefore let us be ready to go with Jesus, both into prison and to die (Luke 22:33). Not only that we have to carry our cross and then alone we need to follow Jesus. In the life of Jesus, He was made an atonement for sin, it was pleased for the Father to bruise Jesus which was the sufferings on the cross of Jesus (Isaiah 53:10). Therefore even in our life let us say not my own will thereby yielding ourselves for God's will, therefore let us carry our own cross which is the suffering our Lord allowed for us (Luke 22:42). Dying for our self and denying ourselves with Jesus, like Jesus being crucified having the mind it is not I but Christ liveth in me thereby let us follow our Lord (Galatians 2:20).
We read since Jesus is the light of the world, he that followeth Him shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life. In past we were in darkness but now in Christ we become light. Therefore let us analyse that which is pleasing God and walk as of those in light. The fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. Therefore let us have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:8-11 Malayalam Bible). Even as Jesus by the commandment of God show us many good works let us also do good works according to the word of God (John 10:32). Thereby let our light so shine before men and follow Jesus, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father (Matthew 5:16).
Where Jesus is, there shall also His servant be, therefore let us follow Jesus as serving Jesus (John 12:26). During the days of Jesus ministering in this earth many women who were ministering Jesus and followed Him from Galilee unto the end they followed Jesus (Matthew 27:55). We could see many among these women ministered unto Jesus and those who followed Him of their substance (Luke 8:1-3). Jesus saith in truth whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, he shall in no wise lose his reward (Matthew 10:42). Jesus sitting in the throne of His glory say unto them on his right hand, ye blessed inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these brethren, ye have done it unto Jesus (Matthew 25:34-40). But if any, to these least gave not to eat,to drink, to cloth not receiving the stranger, visited not the sick and in prison such ones who were revealed at the left answer Lord when we did not minister unto thee? (Matthew 25:44). Therefore with our substance, with the mammon of unrighteousness make friends so that let us change as those having the heart to minister unto the least brethren of Jesus. Thereby we'll be received into everlasting habitations (Luke 16:9). In order that, where Jesus is, we also shall be for that our Jesus comes again to gather us unto Him (John 14:3).
Jesus died resurrected ought to ascend up where He was before He says (John 6:62). Unto His Father and our Father, and to His God and our God Jesus ascend (John 20:17). Whereas now to that place we cannot follow Jesus but later, like Jesus in our resurrection we can also follow Jesus (John 13:36). Let us appear before God in Zion and follow the Lamb our Lord whithersoever He goeth (Rev 14:4).
With these experiences how it is possible for us to follow Jesus? In song of songs the Shulamite says to her beloved, "Draw me, we will run after thee" (Song of songs 1:4). An individual who desire to go after Jesus seeking the help of Jesus so that he is desired to be drawn to Jesus for that we could see the love of Christ constraineth us. That is the constraint to go after Him and to live for Jesus who died and resurrected for us (2Corinthians 5:14-15). Since we are bought with a price we know that we are not of our own (1Corinthians 6:19). Therefore let us follow Jesus by hearing the voice of Jesus and obeying all the commandments of Jesus thereby we become for Jesus. Let our God enlarge our heart and make us to run in the way of His commandments with patience (Psalm 119:32). Let our God help us to follow Jesus and reach heavenly Zion.
