In the Steps of Jesus –

Based on the Love God Greatly study, Living Faithful in a Faithless Land

Scripture: God’s Road Map for Our Journey: Zechariah 1:7-17; 1 Peter 2:21-25 (24-25)

 For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. ²² He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth. ²³ When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. ²⁵ For you were going astray like sheep but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. 1 Peter2:21-25

Jesus is our example of how to live faithful lives in a faithless land. He didn’t just suffer – He was sent to suffer. Peter says we are to follow in “the steps of Jesus.” I think most would agree this is a bit of a high mark to meet. Especially if we consider not only who He is and what He did, but why and how He did it. After all, as Peter goes on to say, Jesus bore our sins on the cross so that we would be able to stop sinning and “live for righteousness.” – But look again at today’s passage…

• He committed no sin
• His mouth did not utter deceit
• He was maligned, but He didn’t answer back
• He suffered but did not retaliate
• He gave His life for our sins
• He did it so that we could have a better way of life –
  • one of righteousness and eternal life instead of sin and death
• His wounds rescued us from the death that we deserved
• He brought us into a right relationship with God the Father

Considering all that Jesus did on our behalf, should we not choose to walk in the Jesus Way? Scripture lays out the “way” of Jesus throughout the New Testament, and Jesus Himself instructs us in the book of John to love as He has loved us.

I’m pretty sure I’ve shared this song with at least some of you along the way, but it bears repeating over and over until it is our own mantra as we strive to live faithfully in a faithless land. – You’ll find a link at the end, click and listen – it is beautifully convicting and inspiring.

If you curse me, then I will bless you
If you hurt me, I will forgive
And if you hate me, then I will love you
I choose the Jesus way
Oh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

[Verse 2]
If you’re helpless, I will defend you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
If you’re burdened, I’ll share the weight (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
And if you’re hopeless, then let me show you (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
There’s hope in the Jesus way

[Chorus]
I follow Jesus, I follow Jesus
He wore my sin, I’ll gladly wear His name
He is the treasure, He is the answer
Oh, I choose the Jesus way

[Verse 3]
If you strike me, I will embrace you
And if you chain me, I’ll sing His praise
And if you kill me, my home is Heaven
For I choose the Jesus way

I follow Jesus, I follow Jesus
He wore my sin, I’ll gladly wear His name
He is the treasure, He is the answer
Oh, I choose the Jesus way

[Bridge]
And I choose surrender, I choose to love
Oh God, my Savior, You’ll always be enough
I choose forgiveness, I choose grace
I choose to worship, no matter what I face
I choose the Jesus way, I choose the Jesus way
I choose the Jesus way, I choose the Jesus way

[Chorus]
I follow Jesus, I follow Jesus
He wore my sin, I’ll gladly wear His name
He is the treasure, He is the answer
Oh, I choose the Jesus way
I follow Jesus, I follow Jesus
He wore my sin, I’ll gladly wear His name
He is the treasure, He is the answer
Oh, I choose the Jesus way
Oh, I choose the Jesus way

(Song by Phil Wickham)

Prayer of Response to the Journey

Father, Jesus was cursed and spat on, but He chose to bless. He was hurt by others, but He forgave. He was hated, yet He loved even His enemies. We are helpless, and He defends us, burdened but He shares the weight; and even though we are hopeless, there’s hope in following Jesus. Help us choose to worship no matter what we face and to remember that You will always be enough. Help us to choose surrender and love – and to remember You’ll always be enough. Thank You for sending Him; thank You, Jesus, for laying down Your life so willingly. Thank You for wearing my sin, may I never cease to wear Your name – for we know and believe that Christ is our Shepherd- the treasure and the answer – Help us always to choose Jesus, The Way – The Truth – and the Life of every believer! Amen!