We love to watch little children learning to talk and walk. They watch our smiles and return them. They watch how we talk, then begin to coo back at us. They quickly mimic all we say and do.
When it comes to Christian growth and living, Jesus is our Example. Before He died, He washed the disciples’ feet and said, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example (a demonstration by actions) that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:14,15).
For years Jesus cared about the spiritual “walk” of His disciples while loving them equally. He demonstrated by example what true love is and what it’s not. He was now saying, “Love one another as I have loved you,” giving us all a Gold-Standard by which to hold all actions and teachings (our own and others) up to, and say, “Did Jesus do that? Did He treat others like that? Did He teach that?”
And in our sufferings, the Bible says, “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example (imprint to trace), that you should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Like a loving father leaving tracks in the snow for his little children to step in, Jesus has shown us how to endure sufferings in a God-honoring way that brings blessing and fruitfulness to our lives, while being a testimony to those watching.
Jesus has not asked us to do anything that He hasn’t first shown us how. He will never ask us to go through any hardships where He hasn’t already led the way. When He holds out His hand and says, “Follow Me,” He is worthy of our trust.
(Devotional by Lisa Cataford)
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