The footsteps of Jesus

 

“’Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’”  Mt. 4:19

“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth.  ‘Follow me,’ he told him…”  Mt. 9:9.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”  Mt. 16:24.

Follow me.  Jesus didn’t suggest or highly recommend following him.  He commanded it.  If we are to obey his command, we must study the footsteps of Jesus.

Jesus’s footsteps took him down the mountain side as crowds of needy people pressed in on him, hoping to be healed, saved, or set free.  Mt. 8:1

His footsteps took him upon the waves of the billowing sea where he reached out his hand to lift his fearful disciple from the waves.  Mt. 14:25-31.

His footprints embedded the dust on the roads as he visited different towns telling the people about God’s kingdom.  Mt. 4:23

His feet dampened as he walked along the lake shore where a demon possessed man, fell at his feet and begged at the top of his lungs to be set free.  Mk. 5:1-7.

His footsteps took him into the synagogue to teach.  Mt. 12:9

His footprints landed beside the disciple’s prints in the dusty road as he walked next to them, training them, teaching them, equipping them for the birth of the church.  Mk. 8:27-31.

His feet labored with agony as he walked the road outside of town that lead to Golgotha, carrying the heavy wooden cross upon his beaten back.  Jn 19:17. 

His footsteps took him to the home of a disciple where he broke bread after his resurrection.  Lk. 24:13-15

His feet moistened with morning dew as he prepared fish for the breakfast he was going to share with his disciples before he ascended into heaven.  Jn. 21:1

Jesus’s footsteps took him to needy, desperate, and hurting people.  They took him to teach and to heal.  They took him to do things that are impossible for man.  And ultimately they took him to the cross where he would offer himself for the sins of the whole world so that anyone who believed in him could have eternal life. 

“’Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”  Mt. 16:24.

 

Am I ready to follow those footsteps?

It doesn’t matter if I am because, it isn’t a choice.  It’s a command.

“As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”  Rom. 10:15.