I listen to Christian radio alot, and it seems as if every organization and ministry is offering a Holy Land Tour. "You'll walk where Jesus walked, by the sea of Galilee!" "Come take communion in the Upper Room, just like Jesus and the Disciples!" "We'll have special prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, just as our Lord did on this earth!"
One day, after hearing several ministries all making pleas for participation in their particular tour of the Holy Land, I got this ridiculous picture in my mind. Dozens of tour groups, each with their own little ministry tags and ID's, tramping around the Sea of Galilee. Myriad groups of Christian pilgrims, waiting their turn to down a thimble of juice and gulp a cracker in the Upper Room and then make way for the next group. The Garden of Gethsemane, the place where Christ contemplated the cross in fervent prayer, now a scene of bustling activity as each group is hustled through by tour guides and directed to the gift shop for a t-shirt or mug.
I'm sure this little comedy is only in my mind, and walking where our Savior walked would be an inspiring and spiritually uplifting experience. But if we really want to "follow in His steps", there is something more we can do.
Jesus went places that no one had gone before. He went to the outcast, to those that didn't have great standing in society, to those that couldn't repay the favor. He walked in love, in humility, in forgiveness, in obedience, in faithfulness, in fellowship with the Father. He walked to the cross, and lay down His life for others.
He went someplace else that was groundbreaking. He went beyond the physical and material to the spiritual. He taught that it's not enough to serve God with our outward man, but the inward man must serve Him also.
A lot of people are "taking Holy Land Tours", walking where Jesus walked in this earthly realm. If we really want to be His followers, we will walk where He walked in the spiritual realm. We will walk in obedience, in love, in forgiveness. Following in His steps means loving those who we don't categorize as loveable. Following in His steps means putting others before yourself. Following in His steps means walking in unbroken communion with our Father. For some it may mean walking away from some things that cause that communion to be broken. And for some it could mean literally walking across the living room, the office, or the sanctuary and saying "I'm sorry. Please forgive me." or "I'm sorry. I forgive you."
Walking by the Sea of Galilee is an easy way to follow in His steps. Walking in love is a bit more difficult.
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2 comments:
I did take a trip to the Holy Land in 1978. It really was a great adventure although a lot of it was commercialized. You're right though. It's far more important to walk in Jesus' footsteps the way we learn in the Bible.
I wouldn't even think of going to the Holy Land, due to the danger involved these days, even if I could afford it! =)
I totally agree with you, that it is important for us to walk as Jesus would walk, after all, that's what draws people to Christ, is the examples we put forth in our lives, the way that our light shines!
I loved your post, and thank you for sharing that with the world!
In His Peace,
Char
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