Years ago,
Charles Sheldon wrote a book that became one
of the best-selling books of all time. His
book, In His Steps, told the story of
a church that was challenged by their pastor
to ask themselves, “What would Jesus do?”
before they made any decision.
Several years ago
there was a rebirth in the popularity of
this book, and the W.W.J.D. (What Would
Jesus Do?) fad affected even unbelievers as
many wore the paraphernalia with these
initials on them.
There is a Book
far greater than Charles Sheldon’s than also
instructs us to follow in the steps of
Jesus.
The Bible tells
us in no certain terms in I Peter 2:21 that
we are to “follow His steps.” In Mark
1:9-15, we see Jesus beginning His ministry
by traveling to three places. We need to
Follow Him to these same three places if we
want to be blessed and to be a blessing.
We Should
Follow Jesus To the Baptismal Waters.
Mark
1:9 says, “And it came to pass in those
days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of
Galilee, and was baptized of John in
Jordan.”
Jesus began His
public ministry by the public act of
baptism. I heard a well-known preacher say
that he had never known any Christian to do
much for God until he had first been
baptized.
The Lord had no
need of being baptized since He was the
sinless, spotless Son of God. He did it to
“fulfil all righteousness,” to set an
example for us.
He also in this
passage clearly demonstrated the method of
baptism. Mark 1:10 says, “And
straightway coming up out of the water…”
You cannot come up out of something that
you have not been under. Scriptural baptism
is not by sprinkling or splashing; it is by
immersion.
God the Father
was pleased with what Jesus the Son had
done. He declared in Mark 1:11, “Thou
art my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased.”
Have you taken
the first step of obedience for a believer?
Have you been scripturally baptized? If
not, what are you waiting for? Why not talk
with your pastor and get that taken care of
immediately?
We Should
Follow Jesus To the Barren Wilderness.
Right
after this monumental moment in our Master’s
life, he faced a great struggle. He was
alone for 40 days in the desert, battling
the devil.
Teen, life is
filled with difficulties, discouragements,
and sometimes defeats. These trials often
come right on the heels of victories in our
life. After the mountaintop, there is a
valley. After a triumph, expect a testing.
After a blessing, be ready for the battle.
We know that
Jesus was exactly where He was supposed to
be during this 40-day ordeal because the
Bible says that “the Spirit driveth him
into the wilderness.” Sometimes God
will allow us to go through times of testing
and even put us on the boat that He knows is
headed for a storm. Why?
