Easter: A Call to Follow His Footsteps

INTRODUCTION

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Today Christians around the world celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus rose from the grave and is still living today.

Friends, we are living in extraordinary times. There are wars in the world over; in Eastern Europe, in the Middle East. We have a climate crisis, corruption, inflation, and a lot of issues around the world. This is occurring at a time in human history when intelligence and knowledge are expanding at an extraordinary rate. Knowledge is not the solution to the world; it is the truth that matters, and Jesus is the truth. Jesus Christ came into this world, lived, was crucified, and was buried but he rose again on the third day defeating death and giving. Jesus is alive today and Jesus still speaks today to the world giving hope and promise of a better future. We are called to follow in His footsteps.

Mark 16:1-7

¹When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ²Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

⁴But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

⁶“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

The message of resurrection has never been more relevant to the modern world than it is right now. The events of Easter are relevant because they address man’s greatest and deepest fears.

Easter: A Call to Follow His Footsteps

1 Peter 2:21

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

The apostle Peter wrote this letter to the churches that were undergoing persecution around AD 64 by the then-Roman Emperor, Nero.

Peter: A person who Failed, but learnt from Jesus and later followed Faithfully.

Peter is one of the 12 apostles. He was known as the spokesperson of the disciples. The one who walked on water. It was Peter who said, “Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God; Mk. 8:29. Peter rebuked Jesus when Jesus spoke about his death. It was Peter who denied Jesus three times. Finally, Jesus confronted Peter after his resurrection and asked, “Do you love me?” Thereafter, Peter was asked by Jesus, “Feed my sheep.”

When you come to the Book of Acts, Peter was the spokesman of the church on Pentecost.

Acts 2:22-24

²²“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. ²³This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. ²⁴But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

When you come to 1 Peter, he is a fellow elder.

1 Peter 5:1-2

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed.

Peter is a fellow elder. He is the shepherd. He is the eyewitness of the sufferings of Jesus Christ.

According to church tradition, Peter was crucified upside-down by Nero.

Peter says to the churches facing persecution, follow in Jesus’ steps. To follow the footsteps of Jesus, one needs to go back to the gospels where we find the life and ministry of Jesus. All 4 gospels mention Jesus in their unique way but one gospel that is closely tied to Peter is the gospel of Mark, as both are close associates.

Mark wrote his gospel to the Romans to present him as the servant. This is probably the first Gospel written and we know that Peter was very instrumental in giving his input to Mark in writing this gospel around AD 70.

The Gospel of Mark

We have 2 Climatic confessions:

• Peter: You are the Messiah; Mk. 8:29
• Centurion: Surely this man was the Son of God; Mk. 15:39

How Can We Follow His Footsteps?

1. Be a Servant

In the gospel of Mark, The Son of God is the Supreme Servant of humanity.

Mark 10:45

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Leadership is not about being in charge; It is about taking care (serving) of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek (author & Speaker)

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” – Mother Theresa

Jesus washed his disciple’s feet. While everyone realizes that foot-washing is a humble service. This narrative serves on two levels:

At the primary level, it symbolizes Jesus’s death, the highest act of service of the Servant King. The disciple’s disposition—to submit to the cleansing—means being taken into the event of the cross. One must be washed by Jesus to have a part in him. The cleansing of feet represents the cleansing by the blood and water, on Good Friday.

At the secondary level, the foot-washing serves as a striking model of humble service.

The apostle Paul, in the beautiful Philippians 2 passage, eloquently speaks of the humility of Jesus, all the while encouraging the believers to have the same attitude of servanthood.

Why did Jesus come into our messed-up world?

Among the many reasons we could give, we must never forget this key one:

He came to reveal afresh what God looks like (John 1:18) and as God he served humanity.

So, what does our God look like?

Our God is the Supreme Servant!

And the way he has served us to the end is by giving up his life for us. He offers us his purifying grace, freely. His transforming power is available to set us on the path of a new life.

After washing his disciple’s feet Jesus said: “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them;” Jn. 13:17.

2. Be Empowered

The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus as he was getting baptized; Mk. 1:10

Mark 1-8: Jesus as the servant to the multitudes. In this section, we see also his power. In chapter 1 to 8 there is an emphasis on his deity. Though he is servant he is still Son of God and though he is human, he has the power of God.

He shows himself to have power over nature.

He has the power over demons.

Jesus has the power over disease.

He has the power over people and he has all authority.

In fact, in the introduction of John the Baptist of Jesus he is one who has so much power and so much authority that John said, “I am not even worthy to untie his sandal.” It is his deity through what he says and what he does, his teaching, his miracles, his identity even the demons recognize him ironically as the Son of God and the holy one of Israel in Mark.

Jesus gives his disciples the power:

Mark 6:7

Calling the twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

Mark 3:15

Jesus gave them authority to drive out demons.

God Gives Us His Power.

Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the ends of the earth.

Luke 10:19

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

“The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us today through the Holy Spirit. It’s not just a historical event; it’s a present reality in the lives of believers.” – Unknown

ILLUSTRATION

Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer and they saw a man lame from birth.

Acts 3:6-8

⁶Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” ⁷Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. ⁸He jumped to his feet and began to walk.

God’s power will operate through us.

3. Be a Learner

“Life as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi

The gospel writers write about Jesus’ ministry at Galilee and his ministry at Jerusalem. The ministry at Galilee and the ministry at Jerusalem are given in contrast. The majority of his disciples follow him and come to faith in Galilee; whereas he finds opposition and heartache when he comes to Jerusalem, he comes and teaches and gives up his life.

But in the centre, there is a central section, Luke has a central section that goes from chapters 9-19. Mark has a central section that goes from chapters 8-10.  In this central section of the gospel is Jesus on the way. He is travelling with his disciples between Galilee to Jerusalem to die. It is in that central section on the way that Jesus has a series of discussions and he teaches his disciples. It is his instruction and principles in terms of how disciples should live. There is the announcement of his passion. Jesus is teaching his disciples.

The disciples are learning from Jesus. The disciples are like Jesus healing the blind man in Mark 8 where for the first time he sees people like trees walking around; 8:24. Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes and he saw everything clearly. This is an example of someone who is learning. At first, they do not get it, but eventually, they get it.

You see Peter in Mark 8 where he says that Jesus is the Messiah, a great revelation. Then Peter rebukes Jesus for predicting his death. Jesus calls him Satan. What is an oxymoronic statement? He goes from the height of being a tool of revelation to the depths of being called Satan for thinking the thoughts of men rather than the thoughts of God, having the interest of men rather than the interest of God. Once he operated in the heavenly wisdom, soon he operated in worldly wisdom.

The disciples are learning.

Peter was struggling because he could not understand how he could serve somebody who was going to have to die when he just understood by Divine Revelation, he was the Christ. It was a misunderstanding and Jesus had to come around and teach. How could that happen? You will never understand it unless you say no to yourself, unless you willingly take up the cross and follow me. I am going to death are you willing to follow me to death if necessary. You willing to go where I am going, think of what that would have meant to the disciples in a Roman world. What does it mean for us today in the present world?

4. Follow Jesus

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

Mark 1:17

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Be passionate for God’s work.

‘His passion.’ Dictionary meaning for this Biblical word Passion is: The sufferings of Jesus in the period following the Last Supper and including the Crucifixion out of his love.

The force behind the message of the gospel is the passionate love of God & suffering servant.

Embrace Love

• Jesus obeyed his Father, submitted to the Father’s will and fulfilled his work with Passion.
• Have a passionate love for Jesus and to do His will in your life.

The Scriptures make it clear: God is love (1 John 4:8) and the greatest is love (1 Cor 13:13).

Paul’s primary prayer for his beloved churches is that the believers continue to grow in love (1 Th. 3:12; Phi.1:9; Eph. 3:16-18). Spiritual growth is indicated in growing in sincere acts of love to all around us. It’s not easy, though. The disciples struggled and we too will.

Let’s learn from Jesus’s passion to love.

Embrace Suffering

“God uses suffering as a chisel to shape us more into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ.” – Charles Stanley

Mark 1:1

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.

Mark 1:14

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of the gospel.

The good news about Jesus Christ is followed by preaching the good news; asking people to repent and turn to the Kingdom of God. What happened to John and Jesus? Both went through suffering.

What happens when the gospel is preached? There is persecution.

It’s a lifelong pursuit of losing yourself in the person and work of Jesus Christ and its worth it.

1 Peter 2:20-23

²⁰But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. ²¹To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

²²“He committed no sin,

and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

²³When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

1 Peter 2:17

For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 Peter 3:1

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.

1 Peter 4:19

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Mark 13:9

⁹“You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. ¹⁰And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.

God has a purpose of taking the gospel to the nations. The gospel must be preached in all of the nations. The gospel is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the gospel worth living for or it is the gospel that’s worth dying for. It is a gospel that needs to be proclaimed in all of the nations, it’s a gospel that must be proclaimed in spite of the persecution. It must be proclaimed before the end can come, but it is a gospel that is centred around the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What this woman did was get him ready for his burial post-death care of the body because she understood even though He is the Messiah he still had to die. She got it. A number of little people in this book get it, while the disciples are still not getting it. The mother of James and John asks for positions at the right and left of Jesus. Jesus said, “You really don’t know what you are asking.” They were arguing about being the greatest when he just told them he was going to die. It is worth it to give your life to the call of God to take the gospel to the world

Mark writes to a Roman audience to not only declare to them that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God but to record for us the perfect model of faithful discipleship, modelled by the ultimate servant of the Lord who knew that death was not in harmony with life, who knew that crucifixion was not harmony with crown, who understood and wants us to understand unless Jesus had gone to the cross unless Jesus had died unless he had been buried unless he had risen from the dead he not only could not come again but he could not reign as king forever and that is the message of the gospel. It is a message worth believing, it’s a message worth telling. Wherever God ask you to go, go. Whatever God asks you to do, do. Serve everyone, love everyone, carry the passion in your heart despite the culture and despite the circumstances, be a faithful follower and follow the steps of Jesus.

CONCLUSION

Easter calls us to emulate Christ’s footsteps: Serve selflessly, embrace empowerment through the Holy Spirit, commit to lifelong learning, and embody passionate love and endurance in suffering for the Gospel’s sake.

Be a Servant

How can I actively seek opportunities to serve others in my daily life, even in small ways? Look for practical ways to serve those around you.

Be Empowered

How can I rely more on the power of the Holy Spirit in my life to overcome challenges and serve others effectively? Spend time in prayer and meditation, asking the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you in your daily tasks and interactions with others.

Be a Learner

In what areas of my life do I need to humble myself and be open to learning from the teachings and example of Jesus? Make a commitment to daily study and reflection on the teachings of Jesus, seeking to apply them practically in your life and relationships.

Follow Jesus in His Passion

How can I demonstrate passionate love for God and others, even in the face of challenges and suffering? Take intentional steps to deepen your love for God through prayer, worship, and acts of service, knowing that passionate love is a powerful witness to the world.