The Footprints of Jesus

“Another of His disciples said, ‘Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.’ But Jesus told him, ‘Follow Me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.’” (Matthew 8:21-22 NLT)

Questions often arise when we read these verses. Is Jesus being callous and uncaring? Is He asking us to ignore our love of family? What did that disciple do? These and other troublesome questions can cause us concern, yet, if we simply look a little more closely, we’ll understand what Jesus was saying and why.

As a rule, we are procrastinators and “waiters.” Even if the time and circumstances are perfect, we want to make excuses for what we’re not certain we want to do. Why? Because our number one concern in any situation is ourselves. We are the center of our own universe, and our world revolves around “ME!”We’re always desiring and expecting a better offer, whether that’s for a washing machine, a new house, or a new life.

We’re so skeptical and suspicious of something that sounds “too good to be true,” because we’ve been taught – “it usually is!” But here’s the truth: there’s no way to over-sell the Gospel! It’s better than we can ever explain it; the Lord is more and offers more than we can possibly imagine even at the very beginning of our walk with Him!

To postpone or turn away from an invitation to follow Jesus is to break His heart and deny ourselves the greatest gift ever known to mankind. Eternal life in heaven is no small gift, and neither is the privilege of walking step by step with the Lord of Creation.

I’ve lived long enough to walk through some very dark seasons. The season in which I’m now walking isn’t a pathway I would have ever chosen for myself, but, as the Psalmist said: “I will not be afraid!” Why not? “…for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.”

There is nothing to fear when the all-powerful God of Creation is leading the way and walking with you as you take each step. The words of Charles Stanley encourage me when he wrote: “As you walk through the valley of the unknown, you will find the footprints of Jesus both in front of you and beside you.” 

There are friends and family for whom I pray and have prayed every day for years. Each step I take as a believer in the Lord Jesus confirms their ignorance to what they’re missing as they continue to walk alone, in darkness. Like the man in the verse at the top of the page, we use our lost loved ones to hold us back. The man’s father in the scene in that verse hadn’t yet died, but he wanted to hang around until he did.

Was he concerned he’d miss out on his inheritance? Was he just too comfortable to leave “just yet?” Whatever the basis of his excuse, at its core it was no different than the millions today who “postpone” their salvation for a better time.

Friend, if that’s you, stop making excuses and start walking in the footsteps of your Savior. He’s better than anything this world can offer. Knowing you’re loved without measure, accepted without exception, forgiven without limit, freed beyond belief, and reborn into the family of God forever is a gift that cannot be counterfeited and must not be forfeited.

Please, come to Him today! Stop thinking about it and just DO IT!

Blessings, Ed 😊