Are You Walking in the Steps of Jesus?

May 07, 2023

By Brooke Holt

“Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” The Collect for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Book of Common Prayer

God’s timing never ceases to amaze me. As I prayed this morning, I asked the Lord to lead me, to keep me close, to speak his words clearly to me, and to make the path before me clear. Deep within me, I yearn to know I am walking with God. It is not always an easy road to walk. In following the Lord’s guidance, my family moved from Houston to Jacksonville, put most of our earthly belongings in storage, moved again (this time just locally), and have faced incredible opposition in my husband’s new job. And yet, despite all these challenges, I have no doubt that we have faithfully followed God’s plan for us.

After my time of devotion this morning, I began work and read this beautiful Collect in which we as a church corporately and individually pray to know Jesus – his way, truth, and life. I call that a divine incident, a reminder I am indeed faithfully following my Savior. While the road is rocky and uncertain right now, I trust the One who leads the way to eternal life. It parallels John Bunyan’s allegory on the Christian life called Pilgrim’s Progress. The goal for every Christian is eternal life. The road to that eternal life has many twists and turns, ascents and descents. Every aspect of the journey is about knowing the Lord, learning to depend on him, to trust him, and to faithfully walk with our fellow sojourners.

Jesus told his disciples he was the way. He was and is the way to the Father and to eternal life. There simply is no other way – no other religion, no means of earning salvation, no plan B. Jesus also said he was the truth. Jesus perfectly represented God and spoke his words faithfully. Jesus also said he was the life. To know and believe in him was and is to know and believe in his Father. In Jesus, you find true life in this world and everlasting life.

Is following Jesus your daily prayer? Do you believe that he is the way, the truth, and the life? If so, are you willing to surrender your fleshly desires and privileges? While Christians long to whole-heartedly exclaim yes to this call to surrender and to follow Jesus, the reality is that Jesus walked the way of the cross. He sacrificed every desire and right that you may have the way to the Father, the truth revealed, and eternal life.

On this way of Jesus, you will have many joys as well as many trials, losses, and challenges. The way of Jesus will require sacrifice and surrender. Nevertheless, your calling is to steadfastly follow him through every twist and turn. When you finish your race, stand before him, and hear him declare "well done my good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23), every sacrifice, every trial, every place of surrender will be fully redeemed and rewarded.

Reflection:

May this be your prayer today: “Lord, Grant me to so perfectly know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that I steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life." We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Related Resource:

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit a "gift" who will guide us, lead us, and empower us. Yet many believers don't experience the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This unique Christian small group Bible study provides a space in which we can explore what it truly means to "walk in the Spirit" on a daily basis. The Spirit-Filled Life small group curriculum centers on a 6-part video teaching series examining the life-giving and creative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Begin to experience the gift today!