Daily Devotional for Sunday, April 7

The Example for Others

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps,” 1 Peter 2:21.

VBS is coming up, and soon, it will be time to set up a projector to trace images onto large sheets of butcher paper or maybe straight onto the wall. That is a very common task on VBS work nights. Trying to trace the lines just right involves concentration, a steady hand and hopes that no one walks in front of the projector at a critical spot. Many of us can testify to the sigh of relief that comes when the last line is traced.

Our lives are similar. Jesus is our pattern that we strive to etch into our lives. Peter told us He is our example, and we are to follow his steps. He did no sin, so He alone is our perfect example. Throughout this life, we line up our lives with his. Peter lists how He is our example. First, no guile was found in his mouth. Guile is deceit, treachery or trickery. We need to keep our lips from guile (Psalm 34:13).

Second, when Jesus was reviled, insulted and slandered, He did not reflect it back. When He suffered at the hands of men, He did not threaten them. Peter wrote to persecuted Christians facing the same type of suffering. He held up Jesus as the example of how to handle the world’s hatred toward us. Jesus let God be the righteous judge on the matter.

Finally, because Jesus bore our sins, we are dead to them and healed from them, so we should live in righteousness. We are no longer going astray, but we have been returned to the Great Shepherd to follow Him. We have been set on His path to follow His steps. Praise the Lord we do not rely on ourselves to keep our feet on the path. We have a helper who walks with us.

THOUGHT
“Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not” (Psalm 17:5).

Kelli Reynolds