Footsteps

Today, we begin our journey! At our church, we are using "The Way" resources by Adam Hamilton for our Lenten journey, and the subtitle of his book is, "Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus." So, for the next forty days, that is our aim: to walk in Jesus' footsteps.

But what does that mean? For some, it means retracing where he went, where he lived and ministered. I've been to the Holy Land three times, and each time it was powerful, but always in very different ways. This last time, last summer, was especially meaningful because I got to travel with my daughter, Rachel, and see it through her eyes. We walked...and walked...and walked...and sought to see how the land informs and enhances our understanding of our faith. While the literal footprints aren't there, there is something powerful about walking in that land, and because we don't know EXACTLY where everything happened, all of the land becomes holy because ANY place might be a place where Jesus once was.

But if that's all we mean by walking in the footsteps of Jesus, then this "journey" becomes merely a sightseeing trip. Walking in Jesus' footsteps also means living as he did, and living as he calls us to live. We study his words, his deeds, his teachings, his life and death and resurrection not just as historical curiosities (though those events are historical) but as life-changing events. And the lives those events intend to change are yours and mine.

There's an old hymn that's been on my mind this morning as we launch this journey, called (oddly enough) "Footsteps of Jesus." Maybe these words might set a pace for this Lenten journey.

Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling,

Come, follow Me!

And we see where Thy footprints falling

Lead us to Thee.

Refrain

Footprints of Jesus,

That make the pathway glow;

We will follow the steps of Jesus

Where’er they go.

Though they lead o’er the cold, dark mountains,

Seeking His sheep;

Or along by Siloam’s fountains,

Helping the weak.

Refrain

If they lead through the temple holy,

Preaching the Word;

Or in homes of the poor and lowly,

Serving the Lord.

Refrain

Though, dear Lord, in Thy pathway keeping,

We follow Thee;

Through the gloom of that place of weeping,

Gethsemane!

Refrain

If Thy way and its sorrows bearing,

We go again,

Up the slope of the hillside, bearing

Our cross of pain.

Refrain

By and by, through the shining portals,

Turning our feet,

We shall walk, with the glad immortals,

Heav’n’s golden street.

Refrain

Then at last when on high He sees us,

Our journey done,

We will rest where the steps of Jesus

End at His throne.

Refrain