For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an Example, that ye should follow His steps. 1 Peter 2:21
Many years ago, a writer named Dr. Charles M. Sheldon wrote a Christian novel entitled In His Steps, or What Would Jesus Do? Dr. Sheldon’s book, which sold more than 20 million copies in several languages, used today’s text as the key for its story. He told of several people who accepted a challenge to base every action and decision on the question ‘What would Jesus Do?’ It made for a very interesting read about some unusual and dramatic changes in the lives of those people who accepted – and followed through on – that challenge. Would it make a difference in your life if you accepted that challenge? That is a valid question, because our text tells us that Christ is our Example and that we should follow in His steps.
If Christ is our example, we ought to wake each morning with the thought that our day should begin like the Lord Jesus would begin His day. Surely prayer to His Father would be Item 1 on His list, and meditation on the Word of God would be a close second. If He is our Example, we should do the same. We would also begin our day’s interactions with family members with thoughts of how to make sure that their day got off to a good start, and with actions to display love and care to them, because that is what our Example would do. He would also express thanksgiving for the night’s rest, for food, and for the day’s opportunities to serve our Lord. That is important because thankfulness is a critical key to happiness. As our day progressed, how many of its events and decisions would pass the test of being events and decisions that the Lord Jesus would be in harmony with? If He is truly our Example, we will notice a difference in how we live.
But our text speaks of suffering, which none of us want to do. But the Lord Jesus suffered for us. Pain and discomfort were just as real to Him as they are to us. And yet, He endured the suffering, knowing that without the suffering, He could never provide salvation for us. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that He did this because He is the Author and Finisher of our faith: ‘Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God’. As our Example, He has shown us that when suffering is necessary, we ought to be willing to endure it for the joy that it will bring us into in the end.
It may not be easy to follow in the steps of our great Example. Are you up to the challenge? It will be worth it. – Jim MacIntosh