In His Steps

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.     1 Peter 2:21 ESV

I have long been a fan of the Charles Sheldon classic, In His Steps.  If you've never read it, I would encourage you to do so.  This book was the inspiration behind the "WWJD" movement a few years ago.  "What would Jesus do?" I believe is still a powerful question that we should be asking ourselves, especially in times such as we are living.

The premise that we as Christians are called to "follow in his steps" is a good one, straight from this scripture.  However, a closer look at the entirety of this verse and the surrounding passage yields a much deeper picture of what this calling entails.  Certainly, we are called to love as Christ loved, but that is not what this passage is actually about.

The context of this admonition to walk in Jesus' steps is that we are to follow Christ in regard to suffering.  Perhaps instead of cute comfy little bracelets with WWJD imprinted on them, it would be truer to the context to have had sharp, thorny bracelets, or maybe barbed wire bracelets, or rubber bands with which others could randomly approach us to pop our wrists.  When Peter wrote to believers about following in the steps of Jesus, he was telling them that they should endure suffering and mistreatment in the same way that Jesus did.

Now, I don't know about you, but that doesn't really sound very fun to me.  In fact, suffering is something I really try to avoid, though I have not been very successful at doing so.  I really prefer that things go well and that people treat me kindly and respectfully.  And my nature is to be offended and to push back when treated unfairly or misjudged.  That, or to cower, hide, or avoid potentially hurtful situations.

When we identify ourselves with Christ, we are called to identify with Him fully. 

We like the blessings.  We want to see loaves and fishes multiplied.  We want to walk on water.  We get excited about heaven, though we're generally not in a hurry to get there.  And in days such as we are living, I suspect even some of the staunchest Baptists are looking at that "turning water into wine" thing a little differently.

When Peter instructs us to follow the example of Christ, though, those are not the things he's talking about.  He's talking about servants (employees) submitting to unjust employers.  He's talking about citizens submitting to unjust government.  He's saying that since Christ suffered, we should expect to suffer as well.  And the corollary to that is that when misjudged and treated unfairly, we should respond as Christ responded.

This idea runs so counter to our culture and our understanding of freedom and fairness that it's a little hard to process.  

I don't believe that we are called to compromise our values because our government or employer compels it.  However, we can expect uncomfortable consequences when we refuse to compromise or bow.  Consider Daniel, who found himself in a lions' den; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego found themselves in a fiery furnace; Paul ended up in prison; Jesus was crucified.  No, we are not called to compromise.

But we should expect to suffer.  We should anticipate being misjudged and mistreated.  We need to understand how to live when life is hard and unfair.

"What would Jesus do?" is still a great question.  We can certainly apply it to our decision-making processes.  But, as Peter instructs us, we also need to apply it to our suffering.

I'm not exactly sure how to do that, and I'm not really sure that I want to know how.  But clearly, it is what I'm called to do, so I guess I need to spend some time figuring that out.

it's a hard one for sure, but it's...

...Just a thought...