Footsteps of Jesus

As our Lenten walk draws to a close and we anticipate the joy of Easter, we may be contemplating what it means to be walking a life of faith made richer and more abundant by the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. What does it mean to follow in Jesus’ footsteps? What does it mean to emulate his life and teachings? Are we only to copy him in his gentle moments, or are we also to copy him when his righteous anger flared because of injustice and dishonesty? Is he alone entitled to that righteous anger because he alone knows when the motivations of our hearts and minds are not fully honest? When scripture tells us to speak the truth in love, does that mean that it must be whispered or risk being seen as the  “gong or a clanging cymbal” mentioned in I Cor. 13:1? These are but a few of the questions that followers of Jesus must face at some point in a life of faith. As a follower of Christ since my teenage years and as a musical leader, I must confess that the answers to the questions posed above are rarely crystal-clear, to me at least. What (or who), then, is our guide when we simply do not know what to do or think? The Holy Spirit is our comforter and our advocate in those times, and at all times. As we enter this beautiful and joyous season of Easter, we will have many wonderful texts and hymns to share. But for now, I’d like to share the text of an old hymn from my childhood that stills rings beautiful and true to me. May God richly bless you with a beautiful and meaningful Easter season.

Peace,

John

Footsteps of Jesus  

Sweetly, Lord, have we heard thee calling, “Come, follow me!” And we see where thy footprints falling, lead us to thee. Tho they lead o’er the cold, dark mountains, seeking his sheep, Or along by Siloam’s fountains, helping the weak. If they lead through the temple holy, preaching the Word, or in homes of the poor and lowly, serving the Lord. Then at last, when on high he sees us, our journey done, we will rest where the steps of Jesus end at his throne.

Refrain: Footprints of Jesus that make the pathway glow; We will follow the steps of Jesus where’er they go.

Words: Mary B. C. Slade, 1871.