Following the footprints of Christ is following the examples of Christ in His Word. In Matthew 4:18-22, Jesus saw two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew who were both fishermen and He called them to follow Him, so that, He will make them fishers of men. One of the footsteps of Christ we should follow is reaching out to people with the gospel. We saw in Matthew 4:17 that Jesus began His ministry by preaching and teaching the gospel to the people and calling them to repentance; so that, they could become a part of God’s kingdom.

So, Jesus’ ministry here on earth was first of all about “reaching” people, teaching and growing them spiritually. Jesus was going throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues. Jesus was committed to teaching people the truth against the lies of the Devil, which they had grown up believing and were destroying their lives.

Jesus also had a ministry of care and compassion. Mark 6:34 says that when Jesus went ashore from the Sea of Galilee one day, “He saw a large multitude, and He felt compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and He began to teach them many things.” Jesus was caring for people and ministering to their needs.

For example, Matthew 8:14-16 describes how Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever, and then healed many others who came to their home. Matthew 14:14 talks about how Jesus saw the large crowd, He “felt compassion for them and healed their sick.” God wants us to do what Jesus did. He wants us to imitate Christ: “reach, teach and care” for people. We should be committed as believers to teaching, disciplining and mentoring others to grow in their faith and walk with God.

Apostle Paul in his writing to the church in Ephesus in Ephesians 4:1 admonished them to live a life worthy of their calling, which they have received. Paul instructed them to walk worthy of their calling. It simply means to walk the way that Jesus walked. Jesus walked in lowliness. Lowliness means humility. Lowliness is the opposite of pride, and Jesus was humble.

Philippians 2:8 says: “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Jesus walked a lowly walk. For you and me, He lowered Himself from the highest point in heaven down to earth, and humbled Himself to become a man. And if that was not enough, He humbled Himself even further to the point of death on a cross. If you want to walk worthy of your calling, you’ll follow in His footsteps and walk a lowly walk like He did. 1 Peter 5:5 admonishes us to be clothed in humility.
If we follow the footsteps of Jesus, we will be gentle. Jesus was the most gentlemanto walk the face of the earth. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus told us to learn from Him, for He is gentle. To walk in gentleness does not mean that you are weak and taken advantage of.

Gentleness is a divine trait. Think of the great strength that Christ had when He was suffering on the cross. He was gentle even at the cross. Jesus walked in longsuffering or patience, according to 1 Peter 2:21. Patience can be defined as endurance in the face of adversity.
Patience shows fortitude and steadiness when everyone around you is giving up. Patience is that strength of character that helps you put up with the faults of others.
• Today’s nugget: Walk worthy of your calling. Prayer: Lord helpme to walk in lowliness. Prayer lines: 08033299824. E-mail: [email protected]. Abel UkachiAmadi, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria